Tamara Rodrigues’ jersey stood out among a sea of Todd Heap, Willis McGahee and Matt Stover uniforms worn by female Ravens fans at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.
The Ellicott City resident wore a purple No. 86 jersey as she tailgated before the Ravens kicked off their season against the Cincinnati Bengals.
But the name on the back didn’t read Heap. It read, simply, “Ocho Seis.”
“I’ve had it for a couple years now,” she said. “But now it’s official.”
For several years, Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson has gone by the nickname, “Ocho Cinco,” an ode to the Spanish translation of his No. 85 jersey. Johnson, always the showman and self-promoter, recently had his last name legally changed to Ocho Cinco. His new jerseys are apparently flying off the racks in Cincinnati.
When Johnson started the “Ocho Cinco” craze a few years back, Rodrigues wore her Heap jersey with “Ocho Seis” written on the back to a Ravens-Bengals game. Her husband bought her a real jersey as a Christmas present in 2006.
“I’ve got the real thing, before Chad Johnson does,” Rodrigues said.
Fans like Rodrigues know their football and love their Ravens — and it’s about a lot more than just the tailgating, said Terry Brown of Sykesville.
“I’m here all the time: I’ve been a Ravens fan since they moved to Baltimore,” Brown said as she partied with 20 fans at a decked-out Ravens van with a bar and bench seats inside, steak, hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, music and games.
“It’s a fun time,” Brown said. “It’s family, friends and, of course, the Ravens. That’s why we’re here. You meet a lot of nice people. It’s really like a fellowship.”
Kelli Cromwell and Kristina Grahe, both of Baltimore, wore white Ravens jerseys with pink numbers as they chewed on pork and meatballs at their tailgate.
“If I didn’t have a ticket,” Grahe said, “I’d still come out for the tailgating.”
Julia Steiger, of Baltimore, sipped a drink while hanging out with friends. Steiger wore an original Heap No. 86 jersey, saying her favorite players were Heap and Stover.
“Tailgating is all about enjoying the weather and spending time with your friends,” Steiger said. “I’m a little nervous about [rookie starting quarterback] Joe Flacco, but I think he’ll be fine.”
Could she see herself wearing a Flacco jersey at a future game?
“Oh, probably,” Steiger said, laughing.
