Ray Rice Surprises Ravens Fans
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Ravens fever is already building around the city. Tuesday, with less than a week until the home opener, one of the team's star players surprised a group of lucky fans.
Monique Griego has more.
It's not every day you walk into the bank and Ravens running back Ray Rice is waiting for you behind the counter.
"I was surprised. It was great," said Janine Field.
"It was awesome. It really was," said Stephanie Murphy.
Rice surprised 10 lucky M&T Bank customers with an autographed football and tickets to the team's home opener next Monday.
"Out of the pads, it's great you get to see me in my normal attire. Monday night, I'm gonna be a different person," Rice said.
The winners were part of a bank giveaway but had no idea a star player would be delivering the prize.
"It was special to shake his hand, see him in person. Down to Earth and a superstar," said Stephen Murphy.
"What a great guy," said Jack Stose.
But fans shouldn't worry. Tuesday's giveaway didn't distract Rice from his main focus: kicking the season off with a win next Monday.
"I'm ready," Rice said. "It's like going back the first day of school."
Rice also made a surprise appearance at a local non-profit to hand out tickets. The fact that he took the time to meet with so many people made these people even bigger Ravens fans.
"Right here, a couple days before the first game starts, they can carve out a half hour or whatever, they can come and meet some fans. It's special. It's unique," said Stose.
The non-profit, Health Care Access Maryland, was awarded 10 tickets as a thank you for the work they do within the community.
The Ravens kick off the season next Monday at M&T Bank Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals.
