Nancy Monseaux, 63, a Baltimore resident for nearly four decades, cheered the team on Pratt Street, where fans lined the sidewalk five or more people deep in some places. Monseaux, who held a sign that said “Doubt the Ravens nevermore,” said she wanted to come to show her support for the team.
“These boys earned it,” she said of the victory, cheering as members of the team passed.
Some fans along the parade route said they also planned to go to the team’s M&T Bank Stadium. But the stadium, which usually seats 71,000, reached capacity around 12:30 p.m., a police spokesman said, and late-arriving fans were turned away.
When the team did arrive, they treated fans to a thank-you celebration that lasted just over a half an hour. Lewis emerged from a tunnel onto the field, handed off the Lombardi trophy and did his signature dance, “The Squirrel.” He thanked fans for their love of the team and said he wanted to win the Super Bowl to repay Baltimore for everything it’s done for him.
“There is no place on this earth that’s better than Baltimore,” he told the crowd.
Flacco, the Super Bowl’s most valuable player, also addressed fans.
“Baltimore, we did it. Super Bowl champs, baby,” he said.
(Photo: AP)
Go Ravens!! Super Bowl Champs! Go B-More!