By Ericka Alston Buck
Special to The AFRO
Former Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis hosted an energetic meet-and-greet at the Verizon store in Glen Burnie on Jan. 15 to drum up excitement for the first-ever Verizon Super Bowl FanFest. The event, set to take place on Super Bowl Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, promises to be a celebration of football, community and the Ravens’ thrilling playoff journey.
“This is something special for Baltimore,” said Lewis. “Verizon is bringing the Super Bowl experience to the fans, giving people the chance to enjoy NFL vibes with their community without needing to travel far. It’s a way to celebrate the game and our love for football.”
The Verizon Super Bowl FanFest will run from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 9, 2025, offering an unforgettable evening of live music, local food and drinks, NFL-style activities, and a giant screen for fans to watch the game. The event is free for all Verizon customers, with tickets available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“Good food, good drinks, and good people,” Lewis said, reflecting on the festival. “It’s about more than just the game—it’s about bringing people together to celebrate football and the Ravens.”
A Team Peaking at the Right Time
As the Ravens head into another critical playoff game, Lewis believes the team is hitting its stride at the perfect moment. Reflecting on their journey, he said, “Coach Harbaugh and the team have come together at the right time. We had a slow start to the season, but this group has gelled into a solid unit. The way they’ve built this team shows how much the organization knows about creating something special. I think we’ll see them in the Super Bowl.”
The Ravens are coming off a thrilling win against their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game showcased the team’s resilience, with a dominant performance on both sides of the ball. Now, with quarterback Lamar Jackson leading the charge, the Ravens are preparing for a showdown that could secure their path to another Super Bowl.
“Lamar Jackson is a game-changer,” said Lewis. “Watching him this season has been a privilege. He’s playing at an MVP level, and his ability to lead this offense is something we’ve never seen in Baltimore. He makes the game exciting, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.”
Fans Believe This Is Their Year
The excitement is palpable among Ravens fans, who see shades of their legendary 2000 Super Bowl team in this year’s squad. Longtime fan Don Aro compared the two eras with optimism.
“No one can beat us when we’re playing like this,” said Aro. “The energy now feels similar to that 2000 run. The defense can’t hit like it used to back then, but this offense—man, it’s something we’re not used to in Baltimore. Let’s go all the way to New Orleans!”
Aro’s sentiments reflect the confidence of a city that has seen its team evolve into a dynamic contender.
“People are behind us like never before,” Aro added. “It feels like we’ve got the right mix to bring another championship home.”
FanFest: A Celebration of Community and Football
For Lewis, the FanFest is about more than just football—it’s about uniting Baltimore fans and giving them a reason to celebrate.
“This event is for the fans, for Baltimore, and for the Ravens,” he said. “The NFL and Verizon teaming up to do this is incredible. It’s a chance for people to experience the excitement of a Super Bowl right here in their city.”
The FanFest will feature everything fans could ask for, from local food and drinks to live music and interactive NFL experiences. “It’s going to be unforgettable,” Lewis said. “This is the kind of event that brings the community together, celebrates our love for the game, and reminds us why we’re proud to be Ravens fans.”
As fans eagerly await both the FanFest and the Ravens’ next playoff game, Lewis summed up the spirit of the moment: “This team is built to win, and Baltimore is ready to celebrate. Let’s go all the way to the Super Bowl and bring it home!”