Ravens and Steelers have a rivalry like no other

One of my most vivid memories from elementary school is from fifth grade, when every day at recess a football game was organized. After a while it became clear that the two best players were one of my classmates named DJ and I, and a rule was made that we had to be on opposite teams every game. I have always been extremely competitive, maybe even to a fault at times, so I was on board with this rule since it meant that I could challenge DJ to be the best in the class. It always went back and forth between which one of us would get chosen first when the teams were picked, and we attempted to outperform one another day after day. I covered him on every play and expected him to do the same to me, until one day he refused to play unless someone else guarded him. My arch rival had quit on me, and I didn’t even feel flattered or proud. What was the point of playing anymore? I felt like the battle wasn’t over, and that I still needed time to prove that I should be the unanimous number one pick every day, but apparently DJ had had enough. I was shocked, confused, and most of all, disappointed. And I was eleven years old…

The point of that story is not to try brag or gloat (what would I get out of boasting about fifth grade recess, anyway?), but rather to comment that at any level, a true competitor relishes the opportunity to face another true competitor, because any such matchup brings out the best in both. Anyone who has been involved in athletics will agree that he or she will always remember a close, hard-fought, emotional victory or defeat much more than a lopsided, blow out victory. The toughest games that I’ve ever been involved in, whether they’ve been in football, baseball, soccer, ping pong, whatever, have always been the most memorable, and have elevated my game infinitely more than any easy victory ever has.

That’s what the Ravens-Steelers rivalry is like – every game seems to be an intense struggle for both teams, as each side brings the best out in one another. You could see it on Ray Lewis’s face when he appeared on SportsCenter for an interview this past Tuesday. He was asked a number of questions by the interviewer, dealing with things like his recent criticism of the officials and the possibility of an 18-game season, and he calmly and smoothly answered these questions with thoughtfulness and sincerity. But when asked about his upcoming game on Sunday in Pittsburgh, he could not conceal the huge smile that came across his face before the word “Steelers” could even be finished being spoken. Lewis appeared almost giddy, and seemed as if he was attempting to calm himself down as he explained that when preparing for the Steelers, he could not allow himself to get too caught up in the emotions and excitement throughout the week because he would be drained by the time the actual game came around.

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The level of respect shared between these two teams, in my opinion, is unparalleled in the NFL today. After Lewis eventually gained control of his excitement, he spoke of the respect that he had for the Steelers and the way they played the game. Both head coaches – John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin – have consistently voiced their respect for the other team in numerous interviews the past few seasons, regardless of whether they are being interviewed before or after a game, and regardless of the outcome of the game itself. Heck, I have countless stories from friends and fellow Ravens fans who talk about encounters with Steelers fans in bars, and these stories aren’t as heated or wild as one may expect. The story ends the same way every time: I ask them if they got into a fight, and they tell me, “Nope. We ended up getting drunk together and saying how much we feared and respected each other’s teams.” While the Steelers have had the Ravens’ number in recent years, the fact remains that the two teams are almost mirror images of one another – dominant defense, good running game, and extremely physical – and that the games are almost always memorable.

It would be disappointing to see one of the teams cop out and give up, as DJ did in fifth grade. It would be unfair to the other team, and to the entire league as well. These teams are expected to go right at one another, without fear or regard, and when the game is over each team will respect the other because of that shared mentality. This mutual respect has been earned over the years because neither team ever lets up on the other, and neither team wants to be let off easily, because it just wouldn’t feel right. I hope Ray Lewis was sincere when he talked about keeping his emotions under control throughout the week, because honestly, I feel exhausted after writing this article in anticipation of Sunday’s game.

By: Greg Miletic
ProFootball-fans.com Baltimore Ravens Correspondent