Ravens fans ready for Sunday

(Photo by Keith Allison via Wikimedia Commons)

Beyonce and Ravens fans alike have much to celebrate on Sunday — the Baltimore Ravens are playing the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, the first time in 12 years the Ravens will have competed in the big game.

Nicknamed the Harbaugh Bowl, the game marks the first time two brothers, Baltimore’s John Harbaugh and San Francisco’s Jim Harbaugh, have opposed each other as head coaches in the Super Bowl.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo has publically advocated for marriage equality since 2009.

“It gave the LGBT community, particularly the black LGBT community, a boost,” said Rev. Meredith Moise, a Catholic priest and LGBT community activist in Baltimore. “It showed us that we have allies in places where we least expected.”

She went on to describe a noticeable shift in the atmosphere in Baltimore leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, saying, “People are nicer, people are more positive. … People are just enamored with this team. They really represent the spirit of the city.”

The Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV in 2001 and have made the playoffs nine times with four AFC North division titles and two AFC Championship titles. With five Super Bowl wins, the 49ers are tied with the Dallas Cowboys for second-most Super Bowl wins of any team. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers have more (six). The 49ers are also the only team in NFL history to appear in more than one Super Bowl without ever losing. The teams will face off in New Orleans Sunday at 6:30 p.m. The 49ers are slight favorites to win. CBS will broadcast the game.

In addition to the commercials, anyone not interested in football can look forward to Beyonce’s halftime show. Still riding a wave of publicity from her over-analyzed inauguration performance, Beyonce will attempt to outdo Madonna’s 2012 record-breaking halftime show. Alicia Keys will perform the national anthem.

Rumor has it Beyonce will reunite with former Destiny’s Child group mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams to perform a medley of the group’s hits as well as “Nuclear,” a new single they released in January.

To celebrate, several gay bars in and around Baltimore will show the game and feature specials all night.

Quest (3607 Fleet St) is hosting Harbaugh Super Bowl, a nod to the game’s sibling rivalry. A buffet will begin at 6 p.m. and happy hour will last until the end of the game. They will also offer free shooters for each Ravens touchdown and beads for everyone.

Club Hippo’s (1 W Eager St) Super Bowl party is from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. and will feature $5 Svedka drinks.

Drinkery (205 W Read St) is having a two-for-one special on beer and a $4 special on rail drinks from 4-9 p.m.

Grand Central (1001 N Charles St) will set aside a lounge with free food for watching the game. Beginning at 3 p.m., they will have two-for-one specials on domestic beers as well as rail and call drinks.

Leon’s (870 Park Avenue) is hosting a potluck dinner featuring two-for-one drink specials and prizes given out for the best gear and costumes.

ZiascoZ (1313 E Pratt St), a lesbian-owned bar, will have $3 Budweiser and a free taco bar.

Halfway between Washington and Baltimore, PW’s Sports Bar & Grill (9855 Washington Blvd N, Laurel, Md.) will have a free buffet beginning at 5 p.m. and happy hour will last all night.

For D.C.-based Ravens, 49ers, or Beyonce fans, Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) will be showing the game.