Post by marinersmedia on Apr 2, 2010 8:41:13 GMT -5
Coach Simpson Connects Baltimore’s Football Past and the Mariners' Future
BALTIMORE, MD (April 2, 2010) – “It was July 1955 when I first reported to the Baltimore Colts training camp for my first year in professional football. There was no way I could know what the coming years were going to bring. None of us – players, coaches, owner Carroll Rosenbloom, the people of Baltimore and Maryland – none of us realized we were all going to experience a rare and unforgettable era, and we were going to experience it together.”
Colts legend, Raymond Berry, wrote this foreword for the book Football in Baltimore: History and Memorabilia. Thus began the love affair between professional football and the city of Baltimore.
It is amazing to listen to the stories told by fans and players about professional football in Baltimore; tales about loyalty, passion, heroes, heartache and hope. I lean on the memories describing games at Memorial Stadium and new adventures that take place at M&T Bank Stadium. It makes me wonder what kind of legacy the Baltimore Mariners can build and lend to Baltimore’s football tradition.
Of the narratives concerning Colts players from the 1950’s and 1960’s, I am reminded that our own team is not much different than those formative years of pro football in Baltimore. NFL players held “real” jobs during both the regular seasons and the off seasons. Salaries back then didn’t always make ends meet. They played the game, not for the money but, for the love of the game.
They banked at the same banks, bought goods from the same stores, went to some of the same churches and lived in some of the same neighborhoods as the fans that filled Memorial. They were teachers, insurance salesmen, and construction workers. Yes, the Baltimore Mariners are very much like those who preceded them. We live, work and raise families right here in this great city.
Like the pro football players of the 50’s & 60’s, we don’t play in front of 80,000 screaming fans. We don’t have multi-million dollar contacts. We are not blinded by the bright lights of television cameras. You won’t see our images on stacks of trading cards.
And, much like those pros, we know the sacrifices. We know the price that must be paid. We understand the commitment and the dedication. We live, feel and embrace the passion for the game that we play.
Like the players and coaches from the Baltimore Colts and Baltimore Ravens, we love this city, its people and its fans. There is no place like the Charm City when it comes to professional football. We will wear this city down until they come to embrace the Baltimore Mariners. We will earn your respect as you have already earned ours. And, we will bring this city another professional championship; nothing but our best for the city of Baltimore.
“Remembering the past gives power to the present.” I don’t know who said it but, it is a great quote. As an organization, we understand that this is a great place to play.
Do you want to rekindle the passion and remember what it was like to experience the start of professional football in Baltimore? Come see your Baltimore Mariners.
Do you want to know how it was when you could actually meet a professional athlete, talk to his family members and get an autograph for free? Come meet your Baltimore Mariners.
Do you want to remember how genuinely appreciated you are as a fan? Come see us and we’ll tell you in person. Come fall in love with Baltimore Mariners’ football.
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
BALTIMORE, MD (April 2, 2010) – “It was July 1955 when I first reported to the Baltimore Colts training camp for my first year in professional football. There was no way I could know what the coming years were going to bring. None of us – players, coaches, owner Carroll Rosenbloom, the people of Baltimore and Maryland – none of us realized we were all going to experience a rare and unforgettable era, and we were going to experience it together.”
Colts legend, Raymond Berry, wrote this foreword for the book Football in Baltimore: History and Memorabilia. Thus began the love affair between professional football and the city of Baltimore.
It is amazing to listen to the stories told by fans and players about professional football in Baltimore; tales about loyalty, passion, heroes, heartache and hope. I lean on the memories describing games at Memorial Stadium and new adventures that take place at M&T Bank Stadium. It makes me wonder what kind of legacy the Baltimore Mariners can build and lend to Baltimore’s football tradition.
Of the narratives concerning Colts players from the 1950’s and 1960’s, I am reminded that our own team is not much different than those formative years of pro football in Baltimore. NFL players held “real” jobs during both the regular seasons and the off seasons. Salaries back then didn’t always make ends meet. They played the game, not for the money but, for the love of the game.
They banked at the same banks, bought goods from the same stores, went to some of the same churches and lived in some of the same neighborhoods as the fans that filled Memorial. They were teachers, insurance salesmen, and construction workers. Yes, the Baltimore Mariners are very much like those who preceded them. We live, work and raise families right here in this great city.
Like the pro football players of the 50’s & 60’s, we don’t play in front of 80,000 screaming fans. We don’t have multi-million dollar contacts. We are not blinded by the bright lights of television cameras. You won’t see our images on stacks of trading cards.
And, much like those pros, we know the sacrifices. We know the price that must be paid. We understand the commitment and the dedication. We live, feel and embrace the passion for the game that we play.
Like the players and coaches from the Baltimore Colts and Baltimore Ravens, we love this city, its people and its fans. There is no place like the Charm City when it comes to professional football. We will wear this city down until they come to embrace the Baltimore Mariners. We will earn your respect as you have already earned ours. And, we will bring this city another professional championship; nothing but our best for the city of Baltimore.
“Remembering the past gives power to the present.” I don’t know who said it but, it is a great quote. As an organization, we understand that this is a great place to play.
Do you want to rekindle the passion and remember what it was like to experience the start of professional football in Baltimore? Come see your Baltimore Mariners.
Do you want to know how it was when you could actually meet a professional athlete, talk to his family members and get an autograph for free? Come meet your Baltimore Mariners.
Do you want to remember how genuinely appreciated you are as a fan? Come see us and we’ll tell you in person. Come fall in love with Baltimore Mariners’ football.
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.