Ravens vs. Steelers: 10 Classic Pregame Quotes from the Fierce NFL Rivalry

The rivalry between the NFL's two most physically imposing teams, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, can be summarized by a number of words:

Brute force. Bodies colliding. Bullying. Brashness. Big stage. Bloodbath.

And last, but certainly not least....

Blabbermouth?! 

If not blabbermouth, then how about bulletin board?  As the series intensified over the last decade, both teams caught the attention of the other with words.

The intensity of this series and, logically, the hatred between the two clubs began early in the 21st century. With Baltimore using the "Pittsburgh way", (running the football and playing hard-nosed defense) to win a championship, the Steelers quickly rose from their ashes of the late 90's to challenge the Ravens for division supremacy.

With a mutual respect and ire for each other, the battles waged on the gridiron were often preceded by a classic "war of words," series of competitive exchanges by weekday mouth that preceded the weekend muscle.

When the rivalry was truly born in 2001, classic quotes became newspaper headlines. Who can look at Plaxico Burress without thinking about Shannon Sharpe's reference to the Steelers receiver as being fragile like "Plaxiglass?"

Years later, the series has blossomed into the fiercest rivalry in football. While the games themselves will always define Steelers vs. Ravens, the pregame antics of these nemeses have certainly served as heat for the game-time fires.

Here are 10 classic pregame jousts between some of the most important faces in the NFL's bloodiest and most BOMBASTIC rivalry.

Sharpe and Cowher Talk about Turmoil

In 2000, the Ravens and Steelers had yet to plant the seeds of a rivalry. Baltimore was merely "the old Browns," and Pittsburgh was a shell of its success under Bill Cowher in the earlier 1990's.

After coach Brian Billick took over the Ravens, the franchise slowly developed into the modern day "Purple People Eaters."

At first, it appeared their success would come through offense, Billick's expertise. After coordinating a dynamic offense in the 1998 Vikings, Billick watched as Qadry Ismail scored three long touchdowns in a short span of time in a surprising win at Three Rivers Stadium.

With Baltimore improving and the Steelers struggling, many were pessimistic about Pittsburgh's chances in the 2000 opener. 

Indeed, the Ravens came into Three Rivers Stadium and handed the Steelers their first shutout home loss in over a decade, 16-0.  Like that particular game, Baltimore success would be predicated on defense, while the offense won in spite of itself.  The formula was quite counter-Billick.

After the shutout, the Ravens celebrated and their tight end had much to say.

Cue Shannon Sharpe.

"They have some real problems that they need to have addressed. That's probably the worst in my 11 years that I've seen a Steelers team look. And I'm sure Bill Cowher is very disappointed, because they've got a lot of internal turmoil."

After elaborating on his comments, the Steelers took notice of the cocky tight end's assessment. While Baltimore would ultimately win the Super Bowl that particular season (Sharpe's third championship in three straight postseason appearances), Pittsburgh did attain a measure of revenge.

In their final loss of the season, the Ravens hosted the Steelers. After struggling on offense with Tony Banks, Trent Dilfer took the reigns. With a safety and touchdown, Pittsburgh stymied the Baltimore offense and won 9-6.

After the game, Cowher continued to fan the flames of the budding rivalry.

"Can you guys please go tell Shannon Sharpe that our problems here are fine? And I appreciate his concern after the first game about all the internal problems we had. Tell him we're fine. Thanks."

Mendenhall's Hard-Learned Lesson

You have to love the brashness of a rookie?  In 2008, Rashard Mendenhall donned the Black and Gold, and an injury to running back Willie Parker propelled him into the starting lineup of the bone-shattering rivalry.

Or, should I say bone-breaking rivalry?

It's not often that a Steelers fan wants to quote the always over-hyped Chad Johnson-Ochocinco, but perhaps a classic "rookie, please!" would have been in high demand before Mendenhall sent a text message to Ray Rice.

The message? The runner stated that he would have a big game against the Ravens on Monday Night Football.

After the text channeled through members of the Ravens' defense, Bart Scott responded, saying (see link) "He said later that he was joking, but it's too late. Thanks for the bulletin board material, rookie."

As fans responded negatively to the brashness of the Steelers youngster, the final outcome was not favorable on the field either.

After gaining a mere 30 yards on the ground, Ray Lewis tackled the runner. Despite the seeming innocence of the play, Mendenhall was finished for the season with an injured shoulder (some reports indicate a broken collar bone).

Ravens 1, Rookie Running Back 0.

Since making the outlandish claim to the Ravens, Mendenhall's reputation for sounding off and standing by his convictions hasn't been stellar. So much for lessons learned...

Harbaugh Loves Ben's Broken Nose

On a pivotal Sunday Night Football match in late 2010, the Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 13-10 in a contest decided on Troy Polamalu's late strip of Joe Flacco, setting up Pittsburgh's lone offensive touchdown.

More impressive than the win and the Steelers' unwillingness to give up was the tenacity of Ben Roethlisberger.  Earlier in the contest, Haloti Ngata had hit Ben with an apparent fist, breaking the quarterback's nose. 

With blood dripping from his snout and spattering his jersey, Big Ben earned major props with teammates and fans across the NFL. In the true essence of toughness, Roethlisberger finished the game, playing the majority of the contest with the injury. 

After the game, Baltimore's coach was expected to engage in the typical coach talk. Many fans could already hear the words he would choose:

"You never want to see somebody get injured, though I'm proud our guys were able to get pressure. I hope that he's alright and I look forward to getting another chance at No. 7 in January."

As expected, Harbaugh didn't ruffle any feathers.

Until January. Then, he revisited the events that led to Ngata being fined $15,000 by the NFL.

Those expecting the typical coach speak heading into the game were treated with an unexpected candidness from John Harbaugh.

"I was glad we broke his nose..."

Those with DVRs listening to the comments surely hit rewind.  Did he really say...?

Harbaugh continued, citing how impressed he was that Ben played through the injury and noting how a broken nose didn't affect his throwing.

Simple. The comment was a motivating factor and topic of discussion heading into the 2011 Division Playoffs, where the Steelers and Ravens exchanged blows for a third time (the second such occurrence in three seasons). 

Surely, Ravens defenders took the message loud and clear: continue to be aggressive.

While Big Ben later noted that he didn't find the comments to be malicious, many Steelers fans were incensed by the timing and nature of the coach's words.

In the end, the Steelers had the last laugh again, winning 31-24 in a legendary comeback and moving on to the AFC Championship.

Can Flacco Win a Super Bowl?

Even during the lockout, the rivalry had wings!  And, a Steelers linebacker attempted to clip the wings of the Baltimore quarterback.

Lamarr Woodley stated prior to the 2011 season that Joe Flacco would not win a Super Bowl in this lifetime.

Asked to elaborate, Woodley explained his rationale.

".....they have to go through one team -- that's the Pittsburgh Steelers in that AFC Championship," Woodley said. "So in order for them to get to the Super Bowl, they have to beat us, and we're not gonna let that happen once we get that close. So that's not gonna happen in this lifetime."

In response to the claim, Flacco confirmed confidence in his abilities. Known for great defense and anemic offense, few would argue that Flacco has provided a positive spark on an offensive unit that is certainly improved from previous seasons. Under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens (and Flacco) have won road playoff games in three straight seasons.

With the support of a ferocious defensive effort and a fine running attack by Ray Rice, the frustrated Ravens took out vengeance on the Steelers in Week 1 of the 2011 season, avenging a meltdown playoff loss months earlier.

Clearly determined to take out Pittsburgh, Flacco threw for three touchdowns with no interceptions, while the Steelers turned the ball over seven times.

Beating Ben Roethlisberger for the first time, the quarterback took his first steps toward trying to disprove Woodley's statements. 

For complete validation, Flacco will have to stand atop the platform of a Super Bowl podium, Lombardi Trophy raised over his head.

Will he do it?

Coaches' Words Bring Perspective on the Rivalry

While many pregame quotes have been born of aggression in the rivalry, two coaches have beautifully summarized their respect for the rivalry. With his choice to play starters, even risking injury, to beat Pittsburgh prior to the 2003-04 playoffs, Brian Billick made it clear who the Ravens' most hated rivals truly were. And, prior to the 2009 AFC Championship Game, Mike Tomlin summarized the rivalry with one beautiful quote.

In 2003, the Ravens had wrapped up the AFC North Championship by the final week of the regular season. With Jamal Lewis on pace for 2,000 yards, it was apparent that Baltimore starters would see playing time in a meaningless game in the standings.

Yet, it wasn't just for records that Brian Billick played his starters for the entirety of the finale against the Steelers. Despite their success, Billick recognized the Steelers' dominance over Baltimore since 2001, and the coach felt that his team needed to purge those mental demons before the postseason.

Billick's thoughts were that the Ravens needed to beat the Steelers before the playoffs began, and his belief in this challenge was apparent during that final game of the 2003 NFL regular season. 

Per his word, the Ravens clearly set out to exact vengeance against the team that had beaten them in their previous five contests. While Lewis was unable to set the NFL record, he did eclipse 2,000 rushing yards in a 13-10 overtime win for the Ravens.

Like Billick's respect of his team's need to defeat the Steelers, a quote by Mike Tomlin also perfectly summarized the intensity of the rivalry, as well as the mutual hatred and respect by both teams. Fittingly, it came right before the two teams fought in the 2009 AFC Championship for the right to meet Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII.

"What else would you expect? Us and the Ravens. It would be a big game if it was a scrimmage.  It just happens to be the AFC Championship Game."

T-Sizzle: Pregame Poster Boy

As it concerns Terrell Suggs, perhaps no other player in the rivalry has defined the pregame hype (mostly in the nature of fun) like the man known as "T-Sizzle."

While most fans can isolate one of his comments as his single most disruptive quote in an endless semantic battle (later on the list), Suggs' most recent interview (days ago) continues the twice annual pregame fun factory.

Sometimes, Suggs doesn't speak his mind; he wears it!

Before last season's playoff match, Suggs wore a t-shirt that depicted a raven giving "a number one sign" to the city of Pittsburgh.

When asked if he was worried if the shirt would give Pittsburgh more motivation, he responded with his regular swagger:  "Do I seem worried?"

He continued by saying it was just the shirt that he happened to put on that particular morning. 

Between his gallery of sarcastic and colorful comments, Suggs clearly respects the rivalry, describing it as the "best in sports."

In a recent interview, he put his focus on Hines Ward, listed as questionable for their prime-time game in Pittsburgh in 2011. Suggs stated that he hopes Hines is able to play as he embodies the rivalry. Then again, wasn't this the same guy who called Hines a cheap-shot artist in the past?

Nick Signorelli added another comment, and it deserves to be highlighted as well as one of Sugg's classier statements: “We’re built for them, they’re built for us, and I think we’re the only two teams that can play each other the way we do.”

Not all of Suggs' comments (if any) come off as clean and respectful. For his continual willingness to spice up the Steelers vs. Ravens rivalry, T-Sizzle has become a major face in the "bloodbath battle."

After Baltimore beat Pittsburgh handily in an opening day 35-7 beatdown, Suggs was quoted as saying (re: Ben Roethlisberger), "God can have his soul. His @#$ belongs to me. He knows there are only a few players who can bring him down and I'm one of them."

Suggs Talks about a Bounty on Hines Ward

Hines Ward broke Bengals' linebacker Keith Rivers' jaw on a vicious block. Then, against the Ravens, Ray Lewis broke Rashard Mendenhall's collar bone.

Many in the NFL consider Hines a dirty player, and his play has certainly taken center stage in the NFL's fiercest rivalry, most notably for his hard hit on Ed Reed during a 2007 Steelers' win on Monday Night Football (see video).

Considering Hines' reputation and that Mendenhall had predicted a great game in the 2008 Monday Night rematch in Pittsburgh, the Ravens clearly had reason to disdain both players.

Yet, in his most reputable quote of the series, Terrell Suggs may have actually put his foot in his mouth. Could that foot ever be big enough to keep him from talking?  Probably not.

“The bounty was out on Mendenhall and the bounty was out on Ward. We just didn’t get him between the whistles.”

Earlier in that season, a hit by Ray Lewis ended Mendenhall's rookie season, breaking his collar bone and allowing him to spend the rest of the year doing commercials for Comcast.

Later, Suggs denied the claim of a bounty, stating that during the interview he meant both players were focuses of the Ravens defense.

Ward later responded to Suggs that the NFL has rules against bounties. It is clear why Baltimore would dislike Ward.

He's put Ed Reed and Bart Scott on their behinds, made memorable catches and scores against their prideful defense, and done it all with a big, white smile.

Nevertheless, the notion of a verbal, public bounty is still recalled amongst both fanbases to this day, and remains the moment when Terrell Suggs became a key figure when the teams play.

Goonism and the Goose?

As this list progresses, a week of huge pregame headlines leading up to the December 16, 2001 match will include three entries, this slide being the first.  

Why was this game the impetus for such heated exchanges? Consider the circumstances in 2001:

The Ravens entered the season as defending NFL Champions. Having eclipsed the traditionally mighty Steelers and suddenly tough Titans in the AFC North, Baltimore felt confident they could win the division and continue their supremacy.

The only weak spot of the championship roster was perceived as quarterback Trent Dilfer, who was released in the eventual favor of Elvis Grbac. As quarterback play was concerned, Grbac was pedestrian at best, while Kordell Stewart had a season of revival. 

In an earlier meeting at newly christened Heinz Field, the 2001 Ravens were statistically dominated by the Steelers. Yet, with four missed field goals by Kris Brown, Baltimore won 13-10.

By their rematch late in the year, many heated exchanges occurred between the teams. In fact, until Terrell Suggs entered the rivalry, the start of the two teams' mutual hatred in 2001 also marked the high watermark for bad-mouthing. 

Per the Steelers, they would dominate Baltimore and win this time as the better team. The Ravens rebutted that a loss is a loss, hoping to show the Steelers their championship mettle.

The Steelers would clinch the AFC North that evening in a 26-21 final score that wasn't so close. 

And, best yet, no Steelers fans (to my knowledge) were mugged in the restroom at the venue once called PSINet Stadium. 

Earlier in the week, Tony Siragusa was asked about the huge numbers of Steelers fans that attended Baltimore home games against Pittsburgh.

Tony's response drew the attention and ire of many in the Steel City.

"My suggestion is if you see someone with black and gold on, follow them in the bathroom and take care of business yourself. There's no cameras in the bathroom."

Feeling confident that the reporters would not make his words public, the Goose seemed surprised at the tidal wave of response. Exasperated by the negativity surrounding his quote, Siragusa emphasized that he was kidding.

Bettis Puts a Foot in His Mouth

Remember that classic December 2001 contest referenced earlier in this list (see: Goonism and the Goose)? 

Many long-time fans (including myself) cite the contest in Baltimore (where the Steelers won the AFC North against the NFL champs, setting up an epic playoff battle) as the rivalry's true origin. It's hard to argue!

Jerome Bettis made a controversial comment, and the Ravens took notice, using his words as additional fuel leading up to the pivotal fight for the AFC North. Bettis, in an attempt to praise Bengals' linebacker Takeo Spikes, stated that he felt Spikes was every bit as good as Ray Lewis.

From those words, the train took off from the station!

Ray Lewis:  

“Jerome saying Takeo Spikes is better than me? Let's go find out! They have to come here in three, four days regardless of what's coming out of their mouths. Tell him to tape that groin up and come see me at PSINet.”

(see link above for additional comments)

Jerome Bettis:

“I just said he is as good an athlete as Ray Lewis, he just doesn't have the talent around him. I'm trying to compliment another guy. So he brings that into a Steelers story? I guess they're jumping on anything right now.”

Ray Lewis:

“I've always said you don't have to respect me, but don't ever disrespect me. For those guys to say what they're saying now, it's ignorant! They have a good defense this year. I'm not even going to say great. But we've been there, we've done this before. There's no person on this defense, first team or second team, that I would trade for any one of their starters.”

Joey Porter:

“That's good, cause we wouldn't take none of their guys neither. I don't need none of their guys over here playing for us neither.”

Shannon Sharpe (of course):

“That's like saying, "Dude, Where's My Car" is just as good as "Titanic." At some point in time, you've got to be realistic! I don't mean no disrespect to Takeo, because Takeo Spikes is a great football player, but he's not Ray Lewis. Let's not fool ourselves.”

Bill Cowher (lone voice of reason):

"Anybody who knows Jerome Bettis knows he has a lot of respect for Ray Lewis, the best linebacker in the game today. Those two know each other well.”

In addition to this dialogue, Plaxico Burress responded to the statements, and Shannon Sharpe spoke to the comments made by Burress. This back and forth between Sharpe and Burress is remembered exclusively by most fans and not in relation to the above-referenced exchanges.

In fact, their comments to each other (and the action that followed) are considered by many fans of the rivalry as the pinnacle war of words in the series!  More on that later....

Plexiglass Silences Ravens

In 2001, the Steelers and Ravens prepared for a key AFC North battle late in the season at PSINet Stadium.

Receiver Plaxico Burress commented that the Ravens had been physically beaten by the Steelers in a 13-10 Baltimore win at Heinz Field earlier in the campaign. 

Shannon Sharpe took umbrage, stating, "If Hines Ward would have said that, as physical as he plays the game, OK, I could lend some credence to that. But 'Plexiglass?' No."

The Steelers stood by their receiver, who stated that Plexiglass bends but doesn't break.

After Pittsburgh beat Baltimore 26-21 to clinch the AFC North Championship, the two teams met in the playoffs. 

Rod Woodson, who had his nose bloodied earlier in the season by a hard block by Hines Ward, got his face rubbed again by Burress. Or, perhaps it was Sharpe receiving the worst of it.

Ahead 20-10, the Ravens were attempting to come back from a massive deficit early in the teams' first playoff meeting. In the fourth quarter, Plaxico caught a pass from Kordell Stewart, used a stiff arm to put Woodson on the ground, and ran into the end zone for the clinching score.

After the game, Sharpe was ready to admit the Steelers had been the better team that day.

Bend but don't break, indeed.