Will Redskins Fans Support the Ravens this Playoff Season?
About 10 miles from the Redskins stadium, there are plenty of Washington fans in the area. But will they support the Ravens this weekend?
The Ravens might be Maryland's team, but with FedEx Field about 10 miles away, this area is more likely a part of Redskins Nation.
At least, that's the way Marcus Afzali sees it.
“When the Redskins are doing well, which isn’t often, the number of Redskins jerseys to Ravens jerseys isn’t even comparable," the College Park councilman said.
In addition to being a part of the Washington suburbs, the area does have serious ties to the Redskins, like former Eleanor Roosevelt High School player Travon Bellamy, who now plays for Washington. Then there's Josh Wilson and Kevin Barnes, former Terps who moved on to play for the Skins.
But the Redskins haven't competed in a playoff game since losing in the wildcard round against Seattle in the 2007 season. Meanwhile, the Ravens beat the Browns 20-14 two weeks ago, officially reaching the playoffs for the fourth season in a row.
So have Washington fans been rooting for the Ravens during the playoffs all this time?
"Absolutely," Afzali said of himself.
Having moved to the area when he was 2 years old, he grew up with one local NFL choice: the Washington Redskins, who play in Landover, Md. It wasn't until 1996 that the Baltimore Ravens played their first season.
But Afzali will root for the Ravens this weekend, his second favorite team.
“A close second," he added.
But it's hard to say that Afzali is the norm, when Redskins fans are so dedicated. He learned two years ago not to door knock during the campaign season when the Redskins were playing.
"People get very angry," he said.
mj23
9:24 am on Saturday, January 14, 2012
A "true" Redskin fan will NEVER cheer for the Ravens!!
Bartthelark
1:15 pm on Saturday, January 14, 2012
Quick answer: Hell no. I'm tired of seeing articles saying this every year. If Ravens fans have a losing stretch down the line (which will happen eventually, because it does with every team) and the Redskins have a few winning seasons strung together in a row I'll be sure to annoy every Ravens fan about it and tell them why they should root for us now. Most modern Ravens fans don't even know the meaning of losing, and if they do hit that bad stretch of seasons I have a feeling that they'll lose a majority of their bandwagonesque fanbase.
Polly
7:26 am on Sunday, January 15, 2012
No, no, he'll no! I've been a fan of the Redskins for decades. A true Redskins fan is always a fan, no matter how bad the season. We love them as much when the lose but, would much rather they win.
In my personal experience, working in downtown Baltimore for years, I find Ravens fans cocky, not nearly as loyal as we, and sometimes even rude.
The only thing I like about the Raven's is Jared Gaither, not only a graduate of ERHS but is a product of the Greenbelt schools since elementary. I wish him the best.
Albert Van Thournout
10:15 am on Sunday, January 15, 2012
I hope not; support for the Ravens by Redskins fans is the kiss of death.
kyle
8:36 pm on Sunday, January 15, 2012
Spoken like some true redskin losers. The Ravens are one of the best run franchises in professional sports. Sorry the redskins are the WORST run professional sports team. CAW!!!
Pedro
1:29 pm on Monday, January 16, 2012
We are fortunate to have two NFL teams in our area. Nobody is asking the Redskins fans to be disloyal to their team; the question is if the Redskins fans will support the other local team.
There is no need to hate just because the Redskins cannot find the way to a winning season.
The bottom line is that the Ravens are in and have a very good chance to go all the way with or without the support of the Redskins fans.