Why Is The Ravens Mascot Named Poe?

Every NFL team has some story associated with it. This story is generally used in the team name, logos, marketing material and most important of all, their mascots. Mascots have a much bigger role within a franchise apart from just keeping the crowd engaged. They are used for various promotional activities, events, and get-togethers involving the team. Generally, the mascots will have a specific reason as to why they were made to represent the team.

In the case of the Baltimore Ravens, the franchise has connected its football team with the history of the city of Baltimore itself. The Ravens are in fact one of the newer franchises in the NFL even though their first game came back in 1996. This team was founded by the former founder of the Cleveland Browns and he wanted the Baltimore residents to have a say in the team name. From the choices available an overwhelming number of people voted for the name Baltimore Ravens.

Why have the Ravens named their mascot Poe?

The Ravens mascot also has a back story related to the city. As a matter of fact, the mascot Poe is a tribute to the famous writer Edgar Allan Poe who was from Baltimore. Furthermore, the team name Ravens is also taken from Poe’s poem ‘The Raven’. In this way, the franchise has honored one of the greatest writers of the city while also continuing to adopt the city’s connection with literature.

Initial phase of Ravens’ mascots

When the team first introduced the mascot, they actually had three raven-costumed suits and were supposedly brothers. The first one was named Edgar, the second was named Allan and the third one was Poe.

Each brother in reality was a definition of all the types of players in the NFL with Edgar who was the tall and broad-shouldered raven, representing the players such as linebackers, defensive ends, and the quarterback. Allan was known to be the shorter and thinner one but also the fastest, so he represented receivers and running backs. Poe on the other hand was short and stout so he represented the lineman of a football team.

Moreover, the mascots were not just about representing the players of the game but they also represented the Ravens’ spirit. Edgar, the eldest, was a reflection of leadership and pride. Allan the second brother represented an abundance of energy through his quickness and Poe the youngest who was slow and lazy was also the most lovable of the three.

However, following the 2008 season, the Ravens retired both Edgar and Allan leaving Poe to be the only costumed mascot of the team.

Poe’s injury

In the 2022 NFL preseason, Poe was performing during halftime. While running with the ball on the field, a tackler brought him down from behind and the beloved mascot suffered a serious injury. It was later revealed that his injury was a “serious drumstick injury” and that he would be out for the entire season.

As unfortunate as that incident was, the Baltimore Ravens got another chance to bring Edgar and Allan back from retirement and they were given a one-year contract in Poe’s absence. But as luck would have it, Poe recovered just in time for the Ravens’ week 17 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the crowd got to see the original three mascots reunited once again.