Public Relations are a tricky thing, one wrong move and you’ve put yourself in a deeper pit than the one originally dug. The most peculiar thing I have seen with public relations is how much change you can see in a walk across the street. Specifically, a street in downtown Baltimore, and even more specifically, the two teams that street separates, the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens are seen a somewhat as a PR haven, not too many big events and they know how to advertise their product. The Orioles, on the other hand, are…subpar at best, while no one really ever gets in trouble, they do not know how to advertise, their “Together We Play” is horrible, and as much as I hate to say it, falls miles short of “Natitude”. Excuse me while I go eat soap.
Last week, roles were flopped big time. The Ravens star running back, Ray Rice, was arrested on a simple assault charge after punching his fiancee. The Orioles inked Ubaldo Jimenez to a four-year contract and had nothing but good news flowing out. I think everyone was a bit floored to hear that themselves.
What makes Rice’s arrest so surprising is because of the image he built of himself, with his huge anti-bullying campaign, involvement in the community, and contributions to charity. I think Rice was everyone’s last pick to get in trouble during the offseason, let alone get in trouble for domestic assault. Personally, my pick would be Joe Flacco, I mean, the man goes to Micky D’s after signing a 126 million dollar contract, how much more tame could you get?
One could discuss the repercussions of Rice’s actions till the cows come home, but what I want to look at how his actions affect the Ravens’ reputation. The Ravens have had their fair share of scandals in the past, most notably “The White Suit” incident, where linebacker Ray Lewis was charged with obstruction of justice after destroying evidence after a shooting in Atlanta, where he ultimately took a plea deal on. The ones not too many people seem to remember is when Pro Bowl running back Jamal Lewis got indicted on federal drug charges with the intent to distribute in February of 2004, and recently, “The Love Bus” where wide receiver Jacoby Jones was apparently hit over the head with a champagne bottle by a stripper, seems to have faded from memory, at least to me.
Now with Rice, domestic violence is a whole other beast. You can sell drugs or be caught illegally with guns and the public can forgive. You hit a woman? People lose their collective marbles, not to downplay Rice’s actions, what he did was ten degrees of wrong, but the public can go a little nuts when this happens. Because of this, the public’s perception of Rice is already changing, he being vilified, his character is being verbally shit on, and all his actions beforehand are being disregarded, the biggest shame all of this, I think. With people’s views of Rice changing, eyes are slowly shifting towards the Ravens organization to hear their say on what’s happening. Needless to say, the Ravens’ brass needs to pick their words carefully in the coming month.
The Ravens’ reputation remains intact, for now at least. Sadly, it has already begun to fluctuate even though not all facts have come to light. If and when punishment is handed down by the NFL, the perception of the Ravens will already have changed. The change in the public’s perception towards a player/team happens very quickly and a stigma is attached regardless of if the party is found guilty or not, examples of this include Big Ben’s sex scandal and the Seahawks’ “Adderall-gate”. The only way the Ravens can escape this stigma will be if they cut Rice, which will not be the best thing to do money-wise. All cap space gained by the salary cap increasing would be negated and then some. The only way the blow can be softened is with a public apology by Rice and an actual effort by him to seek forgiveness and work out problems with his wife. Which based off Torrey Smith comments, he is already working on that.
Another issue this situation does is really undermine head coach John Harbaugh, who has fought tooth and nail to get do away with the Ravens’ “bad boy” image, but to be honest, I don’t think anyone buys it for a second, especially when Terrell Suggs talks smack about Ben Roethlisberger, and Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on a constant basis.
We won’t know how badly the Ravens’ image will be hurt by this for some time, but the stigma is already forming, and it’s one of the worst ones you can get. I mean, seriously, Donte Stallworth got indicted of manslaughter and not too many people batted an eyelash when a team signed him. Domestic violence isn’t taken lightly in any circles, so expect the public outcry to be large.
Image Credit: Wallstreethotrod
The Ravens image won’t be hurt a bit. Here’s why, you didn’t mention Suggs beating up his fiance…twice and throwing bleach on her. You probably forgot as many fans have. Winning a Super Bowl does a good job on people’s memory. And people like to be on bandwagons. The Miami bullying deal. As guys, we do and say stupid stuff lilike they did in Miami. Did they release Pouncey? Nope, he helps them win games. SO they fire the trainer and OL coaches…they don’t get them wins like Pouncey. We cannot get rid of Suggs or Rice, they help us get wins but let Crackhead Kindle get arrested for DWU and he is released. It’s a double edged sword. An owner will never release a player who helps him win, unless he is in prison like Hernandez. Face it, my man, that is the nature of the beast. How many stars have been released at the top of his game for getting arrested…I can’t think of any. Although, my mind ain’t what it used to be.
100% correct,,,,,,,,,,,,,,nice comments,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I do think Rice is in trouble though , as you said the really good players do not get released but Rice is no longer a really good player , believe me , the Ravens are looking at every way they could possibly distance themselves from Rice,,,,,,,,,,,,,his career is over in Baltimore and just maybe in the NFL also……………remember he is a spitter also…………………
This had me laughing at the title of the article and my laughter only grew with ferocity as I continued on. The Ravens have, for some time at that, arguably, and easily, one of the most tarnished reputations in all of sports.
To question whether Ray Rice’s inexcusable actions would be the catalyst to turn the image somewhat sour is hilarious. Look, we all have our favorite teams and just like family, we all come to bat for them even when its blatant we have no business doing so. That’s human nature. Dolphin’s fans will always maintain Marino is the best quarterback to ever play even though he never won a Super Bowl. Bulls fans will always proclaim Jordan could have won all those NBA championships without the likes of Rodman, Pippen, Kerr, etc. The list could go on and on. I knew Raven’s fan generally have a reputation for being a bit, err…disillusioned, but this takes the cake. Ray Lewis is probably the second most recognizable sports figure in Baltimore sports history and he was implicated in a double homicide case. Sure, our nations flawed judicial system didn’t convict him of the STABBINGS, which is how those two individuals (Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar) were murdered. NOT by death of a shooting as the writer so carelessly implied. He pled out and admitted under oath he was present at the scene when the murders occurred. I’m not here to play District Attorney and argue whether or not Ray Lewis is a murderer or not but the fact is, he admitted to being at the scene, the two people he was with were acquitted and Lewis reached an out of court settlement with both victims families which is all very shady, to say the least. But none of that matters because he won a Super Bowl the very next year. If the Raven’s were 4-12 that year, you bet your ass they would have cut ties with the headache and drama. You mentioned the Jamal Lewis case, he continued to play multiple seasons for the Ravens. No problem that he spent several months in a Federal prison for felony drug charges, he could still rush for 1,000 yards (or close to). Terrell Suggs and his beloved “Ball So Hard” University must not have a course in domestic civility because he has been accused multiple times of mistreating his girlfriend, not to mention his thuggish swagger he loves to personify on and off the field and thru various media outlets. Certainly not my first choice for a PR figure. I could go on and on but my favorite part about this printed garbage is in the last paragraph where you, Mr. Colston, mentioned how no one batted an eyelash when Donte Stallworth was signed by A TEAM after he was convicted of manslaughter. Two things; one, he was convicted of Vehicular Manslaughter which is a different charge then Manslaughter (not surprised after seeing you didn’t even know how the victims died in the Ray Lewis case), but the MOST hilarious part of the article…no one you knew or interacted with batted an eye because it was in fact the Baltimore Ravens who signed him upon his reinstatement to the NFL. YOUR OWN TEAM! People were outraged, people questioned it, but you didn’t bat an eye because its so very fitting for the culture of your team and you are used to it so it didn’t raise any red flags.
To address the Ray Rice incident and how this pertains to your delusional viewpoint that the Ravens somehow have a positive image, its simple; perform as an individual and win as a team and it will simply go away. Just like the rest of your teams dirty laundry. The only reason its even a question how the team will handle it from a fans perspective is due to the regression of this particular player. If he were a Pro Bowl caliber player last season less people would be up in arms about this. It is disgusting behavior from anyone especially from someone as prominent in the anti-bullying crusade and other various charitable causes. Raven’s fans will defend him and other fan bases will use it as ammunition against them but the bottom line is that at the end of the sad, dark tunnel that is the hallway to the Baltimore Raven’s PR department, is a group of people cowering behind their own set of morals and even more cowardly front office figures hoping this all just goes away. If this were the Patriots organization or many others, he would have been cut almost immediately. Other teams would have forced the offender to make a statement to the media acknowledging it, apologizing for it, etc. Not the Baltimore Ravens. Not a word. They have him locked in a front office executive’s office with a muzzle on surrounded by subliminal imagery of a blood stained, white suited Ray Lewis and all the other atrocious PR nightmares this young organization has had to endure.
But its all ok because behind all the bullshit and drama, bad publicity and haters, are a couple Lombardi Trophies and that’s all that matters in the dark, unashamed hallways of M&T Stadium.
Your article was interesting in that it seemed to contradict and show your lack of ability to properly research a subject. I will admit this is the first of your works I have taken the time to read as I am new to the site and I would hope beyond your own embarrassment that this is not the sort of half assed crap you put your name to. I mean no disrespect with my harsh critique of this article but only word my views so harshly as to hopefully sting your pride enough that the next article you write will get the thoroughness and dedication it deserves so that you will one day be a successful sports journalist. I do look forward to checking out more of your material and seeing that you were just having an “off day” when you decided to post this article.
Ed,
You started off good and then you drifted off into total stupidity. The air up in Pissburgh is this and it stink because of that nasty river water. If Lewis had indeed killed someone, he would have been tried for it. Obviously, he was with a couple of dumbasses, you understand that. He lied to police and was penalized for that, as he should have been. Jamal tried to do a drug deal and he was penalized as he should have been. Now, you have a case with Rice, Suggs and even Stallworth who we signed after he killed someone while drunk. Sports teams don’t give a rats ass about who they signed. Al during the steroid era, they knew who was doing steroids and still handed out the big contracts. Bud Selig is the biggest hypocrite in sports. Aroid, did not do anything these other jackasses were not doing. You know about jackasses. Speaking of jack asses, what about your boy Rapistburger, he should be in jail with Chow biting his pillow. You seem to know a little something but you are a dumbshit! Most sports guys are pieces of shit, sleeping around, cheating on their wives, doing drugs. It ain’t just the Ravens, it’s everywhere. Oh, what about the big cocaine scandal in Pissburgh in the ‘80’s. You forgot that one. Cocaine, amphetamines, LSD in the clubhouse. Those who live in glass house should not throw stones.
9inchnails,
You sir epitomize the definition of “disillusioned” and fit the stereotypical mold of what most people view the fans of the Baltimore Ravens outside of your entitled, blinded fan base.
A few quick points:
1.) Don’t rush to judgment. I am a Maryland resident, lifelong. Never been to Pittsburgh, hate all things Pittsburgh and certainly do not like the Steelers or Ben Roethlisberger as you unfoundedly charged in your rambling, contradictory reply. I would love for you to point out to me and fellow readers how you randomly pulled out a mythical theory of me being a Steelers fan from my post. Where in my post does “This guys a Steelers fan” pop out at you? Oh, I see…anyone that says anything somewhat negative about your purple wearing super hero sports team and doesn’t masturbate to Ray Lewis highlight videos on YouTube must be a Steelers fan. You have less journalistic ability then the guy who originally penned this post. Tip for you: if you would like to put someone in their place and prove a point by making attacks, make sure you are not too specific in how you attack. For when you are wrong, as you so blatantly are in this case, you look like a fool. No one respects the opinions or views of a fool.
2.) Be creative. Your “Pissburgh” and “Rapistburger” attacks are about as juvenile and unimaginative as I have heard in many years. Your insult of calling me a “jackass” and “dumbshit” hurt the soul of 8 year old me on the playground of my elementary school long enough for me to gather myself and laugh at your silly ass, smack some actual humor into you and take your Pokémon cards…and your Redskins Starter jacket you wore before the Browns decided it was time to move, you jumped on the crowded bandwagon and the NFL thought it would be cool to have a purple team to attract a higher volume in female viewership. True story, great marketing concept and that is why you look so cute in purple. What’s the saying? Real men wear pink, pretend men wear purple…
3.) Be relevant. You spent most of your hard earned and long winded literary breath on talking about the Steelers in the 80’s (relevant back when you were still getting laid), Ben Roethlisberger (whose personal strategy is the only way you still do get laid) and the steroid scandal in MLB. This article was about the reputation of the BALTIMORE RAVENS, which you did briefly address while you were agreeing with my points I made which in turn contradicts your above attack of me being a “dumbshit”. What does it make you when you say that after agreeing with my points? Irrelevant. That’s what it makes you.
Your franchise and fan base’s love of Ray Lewis is undeniable and warranted for all he has done for the team, the fans, the city and for football. But, the act of trying to sweep the murder under the rug and trying to forget any and all involvement is ludicrous. I wish one person that claimed to be a Raven’s fan would stand up and just say “look, the guy got lucky and the judicial system was flawed but played out in his favor, it is what it is and he bettered himself as a man of god as a result.” I wasn’t there, I don’t know anyone that was there but all common sense says there is more to it than just he happened to be near and was trying to cover up for his goon ass friends. I’m sure you can agree that the judicial system that you so heavily count on to have “tried him” if he were involved (which they did and he got scared and pled out instead of continuing with the trial), worked less than optimally in the trials of OJ Simpson, Casey Anthony or George Zimmerman. So you are telling me that since a court of law determined that those 3 individuals were acquitted of any wrong doing it must most certainly mean that the killers of Nicole Brown Simpson, her lover, Caylee Anthony, and Trayvon Anthony are still out there, mysteries to the detectives who pursued those cases? Technicalities and loop holes assisted those individuals to walk free, forcing them to either use it as a blessing and better themselves or continue their criminal ways. Ray Lewis may not have been found guilty but he certainly wasn’t acquitted either my friend or the way Raven’s fans get their panties in a bunch when bringing it up in both hilarious and shockingly ignorant. Can’t be surprised that the same guy who relies on the judicial system argument doesn’t realize the same attorney who got Ray Lewis to plea out of his MURDER TRIAL to the lesser charge of Obstruction also represented your foe “Rapistburger” when he was ACCUSED of rape. Ben Roethlisberger was never criminally charged. He settled a civil lawsuit out of court. This doesn’t mean he’s not a scum bag, hell it doesn’t mean he didn’t rape her, he probably did. Logic says someone who is innocent and wrongfully accused of doing something heinous and criminal doesn’t pay their accuser out of the niceness of their heart. Would you, Mr. 9inchnails, ever randomly give someone a substantial amount of money that accused you of doing something horrible? No and either would anyone who had a simple bit of logic. It’s a sign of guilt. If Ray Lewis was wrongfully accused then why did give the victims family an absurd amount of money? So basically, to summarize for your uneducated ass, Ray Lewis was in fact on trial for murder and took a plea to avoid furthering the trial (which is done when you know your screwed), you seem to have forgotten or not realized this when you said “if he had something to do with the murder he would have been tried”), and Ben Roethlisberger who you and your fan base refer to as “Rapistburger” never was criminally on trial for rape. So how come you call him a rapist when he wasn’t ever convicted or even saw a criminal courtroom but you scream and yell when Ray Lewis and murder are mentioned in the same sentence and he was never acquitted? Can’t poison the apple and eat it too my friend. Hypocrites never know which end of the hose to drink from and I wish I was there to see the look of confusion of your thirsty face as you hold the hose.
Look man, you are certainly entitled to your opinions, as we all are as citizens of this “Land of the Free”, but please refrain from name calling. It’s bad practice. It makes you look weak and defensive, its unprofessional and its dumb. I’m all for a good debate, as a matter of fact I love it. What I hate is for people who throw random, pointless insults made in a personal way in a totally impersonal platform. You don’t know me and I don’t know you, but what I do know is that if you had this same debate in person you wouldn’t go around insulting people with juvenile name calling to their face. If you did I would hope you had some more pointed and scorching names then the weak shit you came at me with. It’s easy to be keyboard gangster so I see where your ego gets super inflated, assisted by 2 championships in a short amount of time as a franchise goes, but let’s move forward in being a bit more well rounded in your comebacks and insults moving forward. I hope you better educate yourself before making stupid comments on things you aren’t fully educated about.
I’m looking forward to this and many more debates and maybe even some supporting of one another’s opinions in the near future.
P.S. When you live in a cave, don’t throw rocks just because they are around. Someone could throw a spear.
Ed,
Nice to have you on the blog. Like 9inchnails, I find most of what you have declared about the Ravens and their fans to be spot on. The verbal tongue lashing you levied on Mr. Colston seems a bit harsh, but you are entitled to your opinion and that’s what makes a ‘blog go ’round”.
That being said, some of your logic is quite flawed, as well. In that Mr. Rice certainly has legal proceedings to endure in the very near term, the very first of the Miranda Rights states that he has the right to not speak so as to incriminate himself. How can the Ravens, Mr. Rice, or his lawyer, or anyone in their right mind, instruct Mr. Rice to make a public admission of his role in that night’s events?
Also, while all of the evidence sure seems to point to heinous crime committed by a professionally trained athlete on a weaker victim whom he supposedly loved, there is a great American right called “due process” in which accused Americans are afforded a day (or several) in which to present their case. Many dictatorships throughout history have advanced their powers by being judge, jury, and executioner, but most have failed while good ol’ democracy keeps marching on. So, again, while if I’m a betting man, I’d bet my mortgage that Rice was guilty as charged, he is entitled to his day in court and also entitled to maintain his job until given due process. The Ravens, in this case, have stated that they are waiting for my facts to surface before making a judgement, and to this point the only thing we know is that a “charging document” has been filed and that a video featuring Mr. RIce and his fiancee shows a dark side of Rice that the Ravens, Mr. RIce and his handlers have done a nice job in hiding.
Again, I believe that Mr. Rice is not who we thought he was, but to ask him, the Ravens, or his lawyer to make a public decree shows naivete on your part.
In the end, you’re probably right and the Ravens are simply hoping money or marriage to Ms. Palmer will make all of this go away and that Rice will bounce back next year from his injuries to regain his form. It’s a sad reflection on the Ravens’ organization, right on up to the ownership down to their hypocrite head coach, John Harbaugh. I’ve learned that the “Emperor has no clothes” and I don’t get all gaga over a few Tiffany trophies. I know what they are and I’m moving on.
Cody, I was looking at you bio and have a few questions.
1. What can you offer that other sports writers cannot? Kisses on the cheek? A squirrel with 2 heads?
2. Is there someone special on the Capitals or Wizards that you have a love affair with?
3. Why are you a drug addict?
4. And why are you devoted to it?
Hey Cody , pay no attention to those who criticize unfairly , keep writing your thoughts on this site and let the insightful ones like MGW , 9inchnails and myself be your guides through the sports pages of life,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the little ones like ralphie and ed are not to be taken seriously as they most likely are frustrated lovers and are taking their lack of anything meaningful in life out on you ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,they probably live together and share more than their computers , if you know what I mean,,,,,,,,,,,,,seriously though , to quote that well know star of stars Joe Dirt’,,,,,’keep on keepin on’…………………………….
Now you have heard the truth from the spy………………………