HEADLINE NEWS - Features

Tuesday - 1/22/2001

I want to record every moment
(EDITOR’S NOTE: On the strength of arguably the best defense in NFL history, the Baltimore Ravens qualified for the franchise’s first Super Bowl. Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister will share his experiences in the days leading up to Super Bowl XXXV in an exclusive diary for SuperBowl.com )
By Chris McAlister
For NFL Insider

I guess it’s finally set in: I’m going to the Super Bowl. I’m ready to get to Tampa today, but before we get on the plane, we’re going to be in a mini-parade in Baltimore. I’m glad that we’re going to do something for the people of Baltimore because they really deserve it.
I’ve never seen fans like the people of Baltimore. They have so much enthusiasm for the team and for football. They give you everything they’ve got.
And it’s not just because we’re going to the Super Bowl. I remember last season when we weren’t playing as well, the fans still came to the games—sixty-nine thousand, seventy thousand. They came out and supported the team. And they came out in big numbers before I joined the team, too. There’s a special bond between the fans of Baltimore and the team and I’m glad they’re enjoying our run.
Before I go to the parade and get on the plane, I’m driving around trying to buy a camcorder. I want to be able to record every moment of this Super Bowl experience. But it’s the last thing I need to do before we get to Tampa.
All the family’s travel plans and needs have been taken care of. I’ll have a lot of family in Tampa, but I’m going to be focused on getting ready for the game. They’re not even going to let any family on to our hotel floor in Tampa.
Coach Billick gave us Sunday off. I loved it. It was very relaxing. I did some simple shopping for some last-minute items. And it gave me some time to let it sink in that we’re going to the Super Bowl. I knew we were going, but I guess I’ve been holding back, getting my work done and letting it set in. Now, we’re flying to Tampa and we’ll be right in the middle of it.
Like I said before, our defense needed the days off to rest. The way we play defense, we don’t need a lot of time on the field. We got our legs back and we went over the Giants’ offense in our meetings, so we’ll be prepared when we get to Tampa. We haven’t seen anything new in the preparation. I think the Giants’ offense will be true to character.
There was more media than usual in Baltimore last week, but they’ve been fine. I know there will be a lot more media in Tampa. All the national media will be there, but every local newspaper and TV station will be there, too. And that doesn’t bother me because it’s the most watched television event in the world. You’ve got to expect it and we’ll deal with it.
I was on the Ravens’ television show last week. They miked me during the Tennessee playoff game and replayed it. I like doing TV, but I was shocked that they played some of (the audio). But that’s me. That’s what I’m like during a game. I talk a lot. I was being myself and I don’t mind everyone hearing it.
It will be good to get to Tampa and get on with the game. I hear that it’s cold down there and that’s fine with me because I packed for it. And we’re used to the cold in Baltimore.