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Baltimore's Forgotten Champions


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#1 DJ MC

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Posted 23 January 2014 - 11:56 PM

http://cnsmaryland.o...s-oral-history/

 

I certainly haven't forgotten them.


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#2 NewMarketSean

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 07:35 AM

I haven't either.

As a matter of fact, since sports movies are all the rage right now, it would be cool to see the Baltimore CFLers featured in a movie. I mean, I don't think an expansion team has ever had the success that they had in such a host lifespan.

I went to a game in the summer of 1995. They beat the Roughriders with a last second field goal. It was a really loud crowd from what I remember.

A few months later, the Browns move to Baltimore was announced.
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#3 NewMarketSean

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 09:46 AM

Mid-way through the article...loving it so far. Brings back a lot of memories.


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#4 NewMarketSean

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 10:43 AM

Just finished reading it. Outstanding. I'm convinced this should be a movie. Screw it I might write it myself.


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#5 Oriole85

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 10:48 AM

I haven't either.

As a matter of fact, since sports movies are all the rage right now, it would be cool to see the Baltimore CFLers featured in a movie. I mean, I don't think an expansion team has ever had the success that they had in such a host lifespan.

I went to a game in the summer of 1995. They beat the Roughriders with a last second field goal. It was a really loud crowd from what I remember.

A few months later, the Browns move to Baltimore was announced.

30 for 30? They already did the Colts band story, so I can't see them doing another Baltimore football story so soon.


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#6 NewMarketSean

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 10:50 AM

To celebrate the 20th anniversary? They definitely should, either this year or next year, for the 20th anniversary of the Grey Cup.

 

I don't know if the NFL would allow it but I'd like to see something done at a Ravens game either this year or next. 

 

Maybe even a ROH dedication.


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#7 Oriole85

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 10:57 AM

To celebrate the 20th anniversary? They definitely should, either this year or next year, for the 20th anniversary of the Grey Cup.

 

I don't know if the NFL would allow it but I'd like to see something done at a Ravens game either this year or next. 

 

Maybe even a ROH dedication.

Have the Ravens maintained any relationship with the Stallions? Maybe the NFL would object to them being honored at halftime, but they shouldn't.

 

I'm just not sure how much of an interest there is given that once it was apparent the Browns were coming here, few showed up to the Grey Cup celebration and I believe no Baltimore stations sent reporters to cover the Grey Cup.


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#8 DJ MC

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 11:09 AM

When do we play the Colts again? :D


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#9 NewMarketSean

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 11:13 AM

If the CFL allows the NFL to play a game in Toronto each year the NFL should allow the Stallions to be recognized at a Ravens game within the next 1.5 years.


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#10 Oriole85

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 11:17 AM

If the CFL allows the NFL to play a game in Toronto each year the NFL should allow the Stallions to be recognized at a Ravens game within the next 1.5 years.

Not sure if the CFL allows it. Is it written in the Argonauts contract that they are the only pro football team allowed to play there?


The only thing I know is most teams do have in their stadium contracts that all home games must be played in the said stadium. But getting out of a game here and other isn't usually a huge deal especially if the teams aren't drawing.

 

Like I said, it would be cool to see. But if they recognized them at halftime, how many people are sticking around as opposed to getting food, using the restroom, etc during this time?


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#11 DJ MC

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 11:24 AM

Not sure if the CFL allows it. Is it written in the Argonauts contract that they are the only pro football team allowed to play there?


The only thing I know is most teams do have in their stadium contracts that all home games must be played in the said stadium. But getting out of a game here and other isn't usually a huge deal especially if the teams aren't drawing.

 

Like I said, it would be cool to see. But if they recognized them at halftime, how many people are sticking around as opposed to getting food, using the restroom, etc during this time?

 

How many people are sticking around when they put a player into the Ring? It's about the honor, not who is there to see.


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#12 Oriole85

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 11:30 AM

How many people are sticking around when they put a player into the Ring? It's about the honor, not who is there to see.

I would think more people are sticking around when Ray Lewis is inducted than this. I was there for Matt Stover's a few years ago and there seemed to be a decent amount of interest IIRC. 


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#13 Oriole85

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 11:41 AM

The major difference is when they are honoring someone for the Ravens Ring of Honor, they have a permanent place on the stadium facade. Unless they are planning on adding the Grey Cup banner to the stadium facade, that's a substantial difference.


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#14 NewMarketSean

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 12:10 PM

Another reason this needs to happen: OJ Brigance.

 

He was on those teams and he should be around to see those teams properly celebrated in Baltimore.


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#15 Oriole85

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 12:15 PM

Another reason this needs to happen: OJ Brigance.

 

He was on those teams and he should be around to see those teams properly celebrated in Baltimore.

Sure, but he did get recognized for a SB. I think that's a bigger deal to him. He was a big part of the AFC CG after all last season.

 

I say just honor them at some game this season. I don't think there will be too much interest besides the diehards but it's fairly harmless.


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#16 NewMarketSean

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 12:18 PM

Sure. I agree with all of that. 

 

I think the players and some of the coaches would really appreciate it too. In the article they seemed pretty bummed that they never received the welcome they'd hoped for after winning the GC. This could do that. Even if half the stadium is getting beer.


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#17 Oriole85

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 12:29 PM

Sure. I agree with all of that. 

 

I think the players and some of the coaches would really appreciate it too. In the article they seemed pretty bummed that they never received the welcome they'd hoped for after winning the GC. This could do that. Even if half the stadium is getting beer.

It sucks for them, but once Baltimore was getting a first tier product instead of a diminished one, the level of caring just wasn't the same. It doesn't really devalue their accomplishments however.


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#18 DJ MC

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 12:50 PM

It sucks for them, but once Baltimore was getting a first tier product instead of a diminished one, the level of caring just wasn't the same. It doesn't really devalue their accomplishments however.

 

First-tier product :P

 

I also haven't forgotten the 1996 Ravens. The Stallions probably would have beat them in a Loser Leaves Town match.


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#19 Pedro Cerrano

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 12:55 PM

Christ, can I read/watch one program on Baltimore football without John Ziemann being all over it?  He's the first damned quote in the article.  What a media whore.


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#20 NewMarketSean

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Posted 24 January 2014 - 12:56 PM

It sucks for them, but once Baltimore was getting a first tier product instead of a diminished one, the level of caring just wasn't the same. It doesn't really devalue their accomplishments however.

 

MONTAGE OF BALTIMORE COLTS FOOTAGE

 

Johnny Unitas...Alan Ameche in 1958...Art Donovan...Super Bowl V...Colts fans...Memorial Stadium...Scenes from Diner...these images hammer home the legacy of the Baltimore Colts. We hear the cheers of a crowd.

 

The screen goes black, the cheers of the crowd are silenced.

 

MARCH 29, 1984 NEWS FOOTAGE MONTAGE

 

The familiar images of Mayflower trucks in the snow fill the screen with a narration explaining that the Baltimore Colts are leaving for Indianapolis. Snippets of Colts fans being interviewed play, people are crying, it is obvious the spirit of the city has been broken.

 

EXT - MEMORIAL STADIUM - DAY

 

Montage of weeds on the field, broken seats, busted pipes. A stadium in ruin.

 

MONTAGE OF THE 1993 NFL EXPANSION

 

We watch in horror as Paul Tagliabue awards Charlotte and Jacksonville NFL franchises. Archive footage of Governor Schafer pissed off. More interviews with pissed off football fans in Baltimore. Finally, the video of Paul Tagliabue plays. "Baltimore should build a museum."

 

FADE TO BLACK

 

TITLES

 

"THE BALTIMORE FOOTBALL CLUB"

 

INT - CFL HEADQUARTERS, TORONTO - DAY

 

A well-dressed young man in his mid-30's sits in a lobby, briefcase before him. He is JIM SPEROS. Another, slightly older man comes out and shakes his hand. He is CFL commissioner LARRY SMITH.

 

SMITH

Sorry to keep you waiting, Jim. As you can probably tell, we've been busy with this expansion south of the border.

 

SPEROS

No problem, Larry. Thanks for meeting with me.

 

Smith walks him into his office overlooking downtown Toronto. The CN Tower so close you can almost touch it. The men sit across from one another.

 

SMITH

So tell me about Baltimore.

 

SPEROS

It's a great town. A football town. Blue collar. Crabcakes. Lots of pride. Big chip on their shoulder. But they had their hearts ripped out ten years ago when the Colts left in the middle of the night. They were passed over twice when the NFL expanded a few weeks ago. They're pissed off. I think the CFL would be great for them; a chance to stick it to the NFL.

 

SMITH

It all sounds good, JIm. But I'm worried that an NFL team could move there at a moment's notice. The Cardinals almost did in the late 80's. There are always teams looking for a better deal. If Baltimore wants the NFL that badly, soon they're going to give it to them.

 

SPEROS

I don't think so. Baltimore is leverage for any owner wanting a new stadium. Baltimore may be desperate for the NFL, but they're just being used so these owners can get a better deal.

 

Smith looks out of the window in thought.

 

SPEROS

Look, you're expanding into the states. It's a risk. Nothing is without risk. But of all the cities you're expanding to...Sacrameto, Shreveport, Las Vegas...none of them have had an NFL team before. The fan base is there in Baltimore, the desire. Look, if I'm awarded this team, I guarantee I'll sell 20,000 season tickets within a week.

 

Smith looks at Speros with a sparkle in his eye.

 

SMITH

And how will you do that?

 

SPEROS

We name the team the Colts. 


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