In many ways, Bobby Nyk and Thomas Ballman are kindred spirits.
Both wear personalized versions of their favorite football team?s jersey. Both also have what can best be described as unique headgear. Nyk wears a helmet without a facemask, and Ballman dons an old-school leather helmet.
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If it weren?t for the fact that Nyk is a diehard Ravens fan and Ballman is a hometown Titans fanatic, you?d likely think they came from the same gene pool. On Sunday, the two men hosted a charity tailgate for a Nashville?s Harris-Hillman Elementary, a school for special-needs children, in parking lot K outside LP Field.
“We come together with humor, camaraderie, with mutual respect,” said Nyk, a disc jockey and Columbia resident. “It?s very easy. After the game, we?ll go out and sing karaoke together until the plane comes.”
Ballman, a former Vanderbilt football player who is known as “T-Ball The Beerman,” said he organizes the fundraiser where local businessmen donate money for each touchdown the Titans score. He said his group has raised nearly $200,000 for the school. The money goes toward playground equipment and therapy tables. Some of the money even helped build a room at the school that pipes in music to relax the students, Ballman said.
Both fans love their teams. Nyk has attended 115 consecutive Ravens games and hosts parties in many road-game cities. From the moment he leaves his house, he wears his Ravens helmet, even on the plane.
Before Sunday, Nyk promised Ballman 250-plus Ravens fans would show up and donate $10 each at the tailgate. More than expected showed up, eating and mingling alongside Tennessee fans. The biggest topic of conversation was Steve McNair, the former Titans quarterback and current Raven.
Many disagreed with Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis? recent assertion that McNair?s ouster in Tennessee was racially motivated. Ballman said the Titans simply could not shoulder the load of McNair?s hefty contract.
“The Oilers have had black quarterbacks from day one. If anything, they?re a pioneer,” Ballman said, pointing to Hall of Famer Warren Moon and Vince Young, the African-American quarterback who replaced McNair.
A few feet from the tailgate was a fire engine that started Nyk and Ballman?s friendship before a playoff game earlier this decade.
“Bobby and a bunch of Ravens fans came off a couple of buses out here,” Ballman said. “He ran up to this fire truck and started forearming the grill and bent it. So I took him and threw him across the parking lot. He popped up and says, ?Hey, I?m not a fighter, I?m a lover.? I said, ?I gotta like this guy.? We?ve remained good friends.”
