Joe Flacco has been one of the most important figures in the three-decade history of the Baltimore Ravens, so it’s fitting he will be on hand for an extra-special celebration Sunday.
The Cleveland Browns quarterback spoke about going back to Baltimore to square off against the rival Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
The Ravens are starting their 30th season in Baltimore and will launch their season-long celebration of their move, coincidentally from Cleveland, before and during their game against the Browns.
Flacco, of course, played his first 11 seasons in Baltimore and holds numerous Ravens records, including most QB wins (96), passing yards (38,245), passing touchdowns (212) and is third in franchise history in games played (163).
He also was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII, which the Ravens won 34-31 over the San Francisco 49ers.
What Did Joe Flacco Say About Playing In Baltimore This Weekend?
That Flacco will be the opposing QB for the 30th celebration is not lost on him.
“Honestly, for me, it makes it more exciting,” Flacco said of squaring off against the Ravens on a day they will celebrate their history. “We get to go in there when they’re having some people back. More ex-players. More eyes on you. It’ll make it more interesting.”
Sunday will be Flacco’s first game back in Baltimore since he was effectively shoved out of there after the 2018 season, to make room for Lamar Jackson. Jackson has since won two NFL MVPs — three if you count his Pro Football Writers Association MVP award from last year — but has not yet won the Super Bowl.
Still, Flacco feels good looking back at how he exited Baltimore, bouncing from the Denver Broncos and New York Jets before landing in Cleveland in 2023 and winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He cited the Ravens selecting him 18th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft from the University of Delaware.
“I have nothing but love for the people there in that facility and the people in that city,” Flacco said. “I was a small-school guy that they took a little bit of a chance on early on in the draft, and I have so many good memories with those people and in that city and that stadium. Very special place.”
Some of Flacco’s former Baltimore teammates will be back, but Flacco won’t be the only there to participate in the game. Flacco’s ex-teammate Zach Orr, who spent three seasons playing with Flacco and the Ravens as a linebacker, will be scheming along with the Baltimore players to stop Flacco and the Browns on Sunday.
“I’m assuming this is the first time,” Flacco said when asked if he had played against a former ex-teammate who was coaching before adding that Orr was a “super well-liked player. Awesome player. Obviously, he’s right where he wants to be, so it’s pretty cool.”
Who Will Be At The Ravens’ 30th Anniversary Celebration?
All fans in attendance will receive a commemorative flag, and members of the “Miracle on 33rd Street” Baltimore Colts from 1975 will be honored before the game Sunday too.
The team will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of the team’s return to Baltimore with a pregame ceremony. Then at halftime the Ravens will honor players from their inaugural 1996 season, and the Marching Ravens band will do a special performance.
Ozzie Newsome, Torrey Smith, Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Peter Boulware and other former Ravens greats will be among those there. Of course, Flacco will be as well.
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