New Ravens Mascots

[leopard88]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum or not, but I think it is since it deals with mascots. In any event, the Baltimore Ravens have hired a trainer to train two live Ravens to act as mascots for the team. I know it is not an original idea (the article says the inspiration came from watching the Seahawks have a hawk fly up to their 12th Man flag), but I still think it is a very cool idea.

The most interesting part of the article deals with how they are acclimating the birds to the stadium environment. The trainer "shows them video clips, made by the team, of players coming onto the field, as well as cheerleaders and fans, on a 19-by-19-foot screen in his home, with the sound cranked up." The birds are also being taught to speak/mimic sounds, such as "Touchdown" and "Go Ravens."

Baltimore Sun -- Ravens New Mascots

[Gothamite]

Very cool idea.

But what happens if the Ravens ever fly away?

[leopard88]

But what happens if the Ravens ever fly away?

Good point. However, since the ravens were not there previously and are being introduced to the stadium by the team, I don't think there is a risk of the stadium, the team administration or the state government falling.

[DGivens87]

The birds are also being taught to speak/mimic sounds, such as "Touchdown" and "Go Ravens."

Baltimore Sun -- Ravens New Mascots

What?????????? They're teaching the birds who to speak/mimic "Touchdown" and "Go Ravens"???

Somewhere there is a long-deceased raven rolling in its grave.

[pagan696]

Quoth the Raven, 'Wide Right'.

[officeglenn]

Quoth the Raven, 'Wide Right'.

I always thought he said, "Go for it on fourth-and-2."

[leopard88]

Quoth the Raven, 'Wide Right'.

The Raven is Scott Norwood? Is that something like "the Walrus is Paul"?

[Milo Meningocele]

Quoth the Raven, 'Wide Right'.

The Raven is Scott Norwood? Is that something like "the Walrus is Paul"?

"I am the Walrus."

"Shut the :censored: up, Donny!"

[BallWonk]

the Baltimore Ravens have hired a trainer to train two live Ravens to act as mascots for the team. I know it is not an original idea (the article says the inspiration came from watching the Seahawks have a hawk fly up to their 12th Man flag)

No, it's not an original idea.

But it is a highly awesome idea, even if the Ravens execs proposing it are so clueless as to credit the idea to the freakin' Seahawks rather than to the glaring obviousness of a team named after a large, highly trainable bird having some actual trained birds as mascots, especially when we're talking about a bird that's famously been used as a trained mascot for centuries.

[LMU]

I like how in a way the Ravens are collegiate in their fanbase, with live mascots and a marching band. I'd like to see more teams go this route.

[Gothamite]

Yeah, bring back the Lumberjack Band!

[leopard88]

I like how in a way the Ravens are collegiate in their fanbase, with live mascots and a marching band. I'd like to see more teams go this route.

Don't forget about the male cheerleaders.

As for your main point, I agree. Art Modell said the band's march-in was inspired by Ohio State. It is really cool to be out tailgating and have the band march down the middle of the main walkway to the stadium (running between Oriole Park and M&T) in full thunder.

[mtairyordge]

I like how in a way the Ravens are collegiate in their fanbase, with live mascots and a marching band. I'd like to see more teams go this route.

The Raven Marching band was originally the Colt Marching Band, got nothing to do with collegiate fanbase.

[PittsburghSucks]

I hope those rats with wings take a dump on Art Modell.

[FiddySicks]

One thing that's interesting about having two of these birds fly togather. I went to Death Valley back in April and one thing I noticed is that there were a TON of ravens, yet they were ALWAYS in pairs of two. I didn't see a single one without its partner right next to it. I looked it up and found that ravens are a species that will find a partner and won't leave it's side for the extent of it's life. Pretty interesting if you ask me.

[njmeadowlanders]

I hope those rats with wings take a dump on Art Modell.

No, THIS is a rat with wings:

[insert jokes about Pigeons/Shea being a dump here...]

[gueman]

This should have been done from the outset. Hell the colts had a colt and a rider back in the 50's and 60's. But I think the Drunk Bob had it BBQ'd at a family outing in the 70's.

What I thought was really interesting is that the US will not allow them to use native ravens. But will allow them to import a non native species. Hmm..gypsy moths, nutria, and starlings, yea lets not have a few of our own native species trained. Oh well.

What would really be cool is if native Ravens made the stadium a nesting location.

It will be a nice addition to the pre-game ritual, the march on of the band, and touching Johnny U's foot for good luck.

They also said the will be on display at camp if they are ready.

[FiddySicks]

This should have been done from the outset. Hell the colts had a colt and a rider back in the 50's and 60's. But I think the Drunk Bob had it BBQ'd at a family outing in the 70's.

What I thought was really interesting is that the US will not allow them to use native ravens. But will allow them to import a non native species. Hmm..gypsy moths, nutria, and starlings, yea lets not have a few of our own native species trained. Oh well.

What would really be cool is if native Ravens made the stadium a nesting location.

It will be a nice addition to the pre-game ritual, the march on of the band, and touching Johnny U's foot for good luck.

They also said the will be on display at camp if they are ready.

Thats actually how the team got it's name (Or so it's rumored) The workers at the stadium found a nest and management decided that what ever hatched out of the eggs would become the new mascot. Luckily they weren't Pigeon or Seagull eggs

[cappital92]

This should have been done from the outset. Hell the colts had a colt and a rider back in the 50's and 60's. But I think the Drunk Bob had it BBQ'd at a family outing in the 70's.

What I thought was really interesting is that the US will not allow them to use native ravens. But will allow them to import a non native species. Hmm..gypsy moths, nutria, and starlings, yea lets not have a few of our own native species trained. Oh well.

What would really be cool is if native Ravens made the stadium a nesting location.

It will be a nice addition to the pre-game ritual, the march on of the band, and touching Johnny U's foot for good luck.

They also said the will be on display at camp if they are ready.

Thats actually how the team got it's name (Or so it's rumored) The workers at the stadium found a nest and management decided that what ever hatched out of the eggs would become the new mascot. Luckily they weren't Pigeon or Seagull eggs

Edgar Allen Poe is rolling in his grave.

[leopard88]

This should have been done from the outset. Hell the colts had a colt and a rider back in the 50's and 60's. But I think the Drunk Bob had it BBQ'd at a family outing in the 70's.

What I thought was really interesting is that the US will not allow them to use native ravens. But will allow them to import a non native species. Hmm..gypsy moths, nutria, and starlings, yea lets not have a few of our own native species trained. Oh well.

What would really be cool is if native Ravens made the stadium a nesting location.

It will be a nice addition to the pre-game ritual, the march on of the band, and touching Johnny U's foot for good luck.

They also said the will be on display at camp if they are ready.

Thats actually how the team got it's name (Or so it's rumored) The workers at the stadium found a nest and management decided that what ever hatched out of the eggs would become the new mascot. Luckily they weren't Pigeon or Seagull eggs

Edgar Allen Poe is rolling in his grave.

LOL.

Bucfan, where did you ever hear something like that?