As Southwest Flight 1065, bound for Tampa Bay, prepared for final boarding Saturday morning, a pleasant, female voice took over the announcements.
“We would like to be the first to welcome you to Tampa, Florida, home of the Buccaneers.”
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A chorus of boos filled the plane. Ravens fans were in midseason form, a whole day before the first kickoff of 2006. People from all over Baltimore were ready for Sunday?s road game with the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium.
Tom France, of Essex, made his first ever trek for a road game and wore a simple, sleeveless Ravens shirt during a flight that buzzed with excitement. His sister and her husband live in Tampa Bay, so it made it an easy decision to make the Ravens season opener his first road game.
“I?m pretty excited,” France said. “It?s really special. I love to be with family and I?ll love to be surrounded by purple at the game.”
Apparently, other flights were similar in tone.
“It was crazy,” Dave Miller of Dundalk said. “The while airline was covered with Ravens fans.”
Miller is a regular traveler when it comes to Ravens road games and said the team?s fans travel well. Miller said he was with a pack of 20 Ravens fans, who were tailgating and enjoying pregame festivities.
“We went to Jacksonville last year and there were so many people, that we took over Jacksonville?s version of the harbor,” Miller said. “I mean we had 10,000 people.”
Ravens fans could be spotted throughout Tampa Bay as well, including the team?s hotel lobby where some sought autographs from players.
When gameday arrived Sunday, France was eating breakfast and was still unsure where he would be sitting at the game. His brother-in-law had purchased tickets and was keeping their seat location a secret.
Meanwhile, outside the stadium, flocks of Ravens fans could be seen tailgating or storming across the street en masse, cheering in unison a full three hours before the game. Ray Lewis, Steve McNair and Ed Reed jerseys could be seen everywhere.
“I?m loving life,” Miller said.
On the field, fans were hoping for a better performance from the team after a 6-10 effort last season and were optimistic heading into the game.
“If they get the win, it?s going to set the tone for the rest of the season,” France said. “It will give them a big uplift.”
Miller agreed and said he would be happy, no matter the result.
“I?ve got a good vibe for today,” Miller said. “I came down thinking pessimistically, but the more I keep talking to Tampa Bay fans about their offensive line problems, the better vibe I get for myself.”
