Vigilanteman:
I am from Baltimore, and i am glad I do not know you.
But knowing a few of the Ravens players personally I can give you a few facts although you dot strike me as the type of person that weighs facts before bloviating.
The Ravens players have a prayer group that meets weekly, and attendance is in the teens. Several of the players have set up foundations with their money in town that do real work, not like other foundations that spend only 10% of their money on their mission.
Many of the players do service work in town silently, under the radar. It is a tradition that was started under the Colts and has somehow survived the transition to the Ravens. Many players keep their homes here even after they retire or transfer to other teams. So, if you think that is a disgusting team, go ahead.
About the mascot, it is of course an allusion to Edgar allan Poe’s story, and we do see a lot of Ravens here. Personally I like them as they keep my yard clean and pest free. We could have picked the Orioles, but a baseball team has it, or the Bluejays, both birds commonly seen here, but Hopkins beat us to that. We also see a lot of sparrows, but Baltimore Sparrows lacks that je ne sais quoi that other football names have. So, if you think that is a disgusting mascot, go ahead.
As for Baltimore itself, yes it was a much less attractive city 25 years ago, but I guess that’s enough for you to form your opinion. It’s troubles in the inner city have been amply documented, but I live in the city and other than high taxes I found it to be a great place to raise my children. I had a chance to move away 15 years ago and turned it down, I don’t regret it. So if you think it’s a disgusting city, go ahead, at least I know I’ll never run into you.
As for rooting for the Patriots, at least now we know you don’t think cheating is disgusting.
Baltimore is in the Super Bowl because they earned it. They didn't cheat their way there like BO did to win reelection. Its a game and if they win, I'm not going to feel nearly as bad as I did in November when BO won. I'll rationalize it away by saying they are a great defensive team like the Steelers with a way better than average QB.