Baltimore Ravens

Preakness had its share of glitterati in attendance this year. Kiss bassist Gene Simmons , and his wife - and "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" reality show co-star - Shannon Tweed hung out in the Jockey Club, while "House of Cards" star Kevin Spacey made the circuit in the Corporate Village, looking dapper in a cream blazer and fedora. Spacey's style was more on track than his handicapping. When caught at the betting window there, the actor was asked his pick in the next race (the No. 9)

Two guns and cash were stolen in a weekend burglary at the Reisterstown home of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, Baltimore County police confirmed. Police said surveillance video showed that a man entered through a rear window at Rice's home in the northwestern Baltimore suburbs and made off with two guns and $2,000 in cash after ransacking the home. Cpl. Cathleen Batton, a police spokeswoman, said the break-in occurred some time between 8:30 p.m. Friday and 12:50 a.m. Saturday, and was reported to police about 1:20 a.m. Rice was not home at the time, Batton said.

At least we have a teamHow soon they forget. After 12 long, agonizing seasons without an NFL team of our own, 1996 became the year of the Raven, the year of the NFL's splendid return to Baltimore. The honeymoon sure didn't last long. As proud season-ticket holders, we find it interesting and perplexing to listen to those many individuals who inhabit Memorial Stadium who have so quickly forgotten how dismal the last 12 empty seasons were for all of us.Yeah, the Ravens' record does stand at a disappointing 3-9. And losing the way they have been has been discouraging.

Preakness had its share of glitterati in attendance this year. Kiss bassist Gene Simmons , and his wife - and "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" reality show co-star - Shannon Tweed hung out in the Jockey Club, while "House of Cards" star Kevin Spacey made the circuit in the Corporate Village, looking dapper in a cream blazer and fedora. Spacey's style was more on track than his handicapping. When caught at the betting window there, the actor was asked his pick in the next race (the No. 9)

The mourners followed the coffin of 15-year-old Grace McComas out of the church and into the morning sunlight of a beautiful Easter season. Christine McComas carried her child's stuffed toy in the crook of her arm. Grief made her look almost wistful. As Grace's parents and her three sisters left the crowded St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mount Airy a year ago, they weren't thinking that their journey of grief would take them to Annapolis. But the determination of that grief-stricken mother to tell her daughter's story - powered by a Ravens player, Maryland's first lady and a state legislator - resulted in "Grace's Law," which Gov. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to sign Thursday.

Baltimore loves its Ravens. And it loves Old Bay. And for just a little while, the city can have the two together. Old Bay maker McCormick is releasing a limited-edition commemorative can to celebrate the Ravens Super Bowl victory. The can is purple, with the Ravens logo and the date of the Super Bowl win. The company plans to make 30,000 of the 16-ounce collector's tins and sell them in Maryland, southern Pennsylvania and Delaware. “We always BAYLIEVED in our Ravens and couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the win than with a limited edition Baltimore Ravens commemorative OLD BAY can,” Jill Pratt, vice president of marketing for McCormick consumer business, said in a statement.

The Ravens are looking really good and, well, so is Teddy. He's back on track and with Ray Lewis spotted at practice, this week he had no doubts about which treat -- which team -- was the right choice. Go Teddy!

If you're a book-lover and football-lover (there really are a few of us out there), you've gotta love Stevie Baggs of the Baltimore Ravens. The Bethune-Cookman University grad is nicknamed "Shakespeare," because he's known for making plays. For the uninitiated, that means he does some eye-opening work on the field. A little bit of football humor, but not bad for a sport known more for head-banging than than for the bon mot. It's fitting that Baggs plays for the Ravens, which has its own rich literary heritage.

Rapper, producer and actor Dr. Dre knows who he likes in the Super Bowl: Ravens to take it all. He tells TMZ that he's with the team that has Ray Lewis on it. "It's a good looking Super Bowl, isn't it?" a TMZ reporter asks Dr. Dre. "Absolutely," Dr. Dre says. "I'm excited for Ray Lewis, man," he continues. "He's a good guy and I'm a fan of his. I'm wishing the best for him. " Not a bad endorsement from a California guy, who -- at least logistically speaking -- would seem inclined to go with San Francisco.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice will be the first player featured during the upcoming season in USA's "NFL Characters Unite" campaign, the cable channel will announce later today. Rice will also announce an expanded relationship between the NFL and USA at the upfront TV presentations in New York City later today. Here's the release from USA: NEW YORK - May 16, 2012 - USA Network announced today that it is expanding its Characters Unite collaboration with the National Football League.

The mourners followed the coffin of 15-year-old Grace McComas out of the church and into the morning sunlight of a beautiful Easter season. Christine McComas carried her child's stuffed toy in the crook of her arm. Grief made her look almost wistful. As Grace's parents and her three sisters left the crowded St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mount Airy a year ago, they weren't thinking that their journey of grief would take them to Annapolis. But the determination of that grief-stricken mother to tell her daughter's story - powered by a Ravens player, Maryland's first lady and a state legislator - resulted in "Grace's Law," which Gov. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to sign Thursday.

Here's what a collection of other media outlets are saying about the Ravens' selection of Florida safety Matt Elam at No. 32 in the first round: ** Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com explains why he thinks the Ravens picked Elam over Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o and others. Why I think the Ravens went with Elam is his knack for making big plays at crucial moments, which is a trait that has always ranked high with the franchise. With two safeties off the board (Kenny Vaccaro to New Orleans and Eric Reid to San Francisco)

Humans had their hands full at Sunday's 18th annual March for the Animals in Druid Hill Park. Adam Mittadam, 30, of Canton, held fast to the leashes of six French bulldogs - Mango, Kiwi, Coconut, Scooter, Vespa and Moped - all wearing colorful capes for the occasion on a nippy spring morning. "Oh my God, they're the cutest things," said Catherine Roberts, 27, also of Canton, stopping to take a photo with her cell phone. Mercy Hospital anesthesiologist Katie Amundson of Annapolis, who weighs 103 pounds, held on for dear life to her Newfoundlands - Simon, 125 pounds, and Maggie, 100 pounds.

Charles Curlett paid $2,000 Saturday night for a Cartier watch worth $5,600. "And for a good cause," said the attorney from Oakenshawe. But Curlett won't have the unisex watch all to himself. "We're going to share it," said his wife, Christina. Curlett was among more than 200 people who packed Gutierrez Studios in Woodberry for the third annual "Hats Off to Hampden Family Center," a gala fundraiser featuring silent and live auctions and live music. The Hampden Family Center provides everything from after-school enrichment and tutoring for area schoolchildren to lunches for senior citizens and assistance to families in applying for food stamps and other social services.

This NFL offseason represents the 10-year anniversary of the inception of the "Rooney Rule. " The rule, named after Pittsburgh Steelers' Chairman Dan Rooney, requires teams to interview minority candidates for all head coaching and senior football operation positions. Initially, the rule showed some signs of success, but the coaching moves from this offseason have even Dan Rooney's son, Steelers' President Art Rooney II, wondering "whether we are really reviewing minority coaches in a satisfactory manner.

Baltimore Sun reporters are stationed along the parade route, from City Hall to M&T Bank Stadium. See their observations, fan interviews and other updates here. #52 Ray Lewis smiled wide to the crowd and yelled "Baltimore!" as he approached the podium. "There's no [better] place on this earth than the city of Baltimore," he said before he referenced his long career. "This city believed in each other from Day 1, 1996 to now, we believed in each other, Baltimore. " "I said this is my last ride," he told fans, "and every moment every time I've stepped into this stadium, what I've recieved is pure love.

Thanks to the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl run, Katrina Carter is on an emotional high. And yes, those are her words. "This season has defintely been an emotional rollercoaster. I win with the team and lose with the team," said the 30-year-old Frederick resident. "Each year all I would say I want for my birthday is for the Ravens to play in the Super Bowl. And after 12 years, to finally get to cheer them on ... I'm beyond ecstatic!" Carter hasn't missed watching a Ravens game in more than eight years.

Being a native Baltimorean, I am, like my friends and neighbors, an extremely proud Baltimore Ravens fan. Their hasty deconstruction left a bittersweet taste in the mouths of many fans ("New Texan bids us farewell," March 23). We have collectively learned over the years that professional sports have morphed from a mode of entertainment for the masses to big business that monetarily draws from the masses. But still we seek diversions in our cramped lifestyles that are a truly a form of escapism.

One of the perks of getting elected to the Maryland General Assembly is that when the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl, you get to have your picture taken with the Lombardi Trophy and whichever Ravens can be lured to Annapolis. On Thursday morning, it was wide receiver Torrey Smith who represented the championship team as lawmakers basked in the reflected glory. Ravens president Dick Cass told the Senate it's tough to get players to attend events this time of year because it's their off-season but said Smith, a University of Maryland graduate, can be counted on to show up. Smith, standing at the Senate podium with the trophy in front of him, told lawmakers that he "still gets goose bumps" when he sees it. He promised to come back when he gets his Super Bowl ring.