A Purple Evening

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While their husbands, sons and male friends sat and watched the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals on their couches at home, a large contingent of women played a live version of Monday Night Football on the turf of M&T Bank Stadium.

Jason Brown, Chris McAlister and Yamon Figurs were some of the players on the field, but they weren't the ones wearing the jerseys. That designation went to the 1,481 ladies who attended A Purple Evening, an event that gave female football fanatics an opportunity to learn more about the game and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Ravens.

The women had the chance to get pictures with their favorite Ravens.

Volunteer coaches shouted directions and blew whistles to teach the proper way to drop back from center or cover a receiver.

For most of the participants, what goes on every Sunday isn't nearly as easy as the professionals make it look, but the fact that they get to actually go through the motions in the same arena as their favorite athletes is reason to keep trying.

"I can't believe I'm actually on the field," said Kristen Bonnanno of Federal Hill, who took advantage of the all-access tour of the stadium while proudly sporting her Derrick Mason jersey. "You watch from the stands with so many people here every week, so you always feel so far away. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I mean, I never thought I'd get the chance to see the locker room."

Actually, A Purple Evening is the continuation of the NFL's Football 101, started in 2002, and the Ravens' own Ravens Women Festival, which began in 2005. The chance to reach out to female fans was a no-brainer to the club, as 46 percent of Ravens fans in the Baltimore area are women, according to a Scarborough Research's most-recent study.

In addition, another study said that Baltimore is in the nation's top 10 markets (tied for 7th) for female NFL supporters.

"We wanted to make them feel like they belong and know that they can access the team without being intimidated by all the marketing and advertising for the league that is geared to the male audience," said Andi Goodwin, the Ravens' advertising and research manager.

"We still had a flag football game going on at 9:55, and we closed at 10:00, so that just shows you the passion that these ladies have for football. It's exciting."

Some attendees chose to be spectators, instead enjoying many of the seminars offered on the re-designed Geppi Club Level. Team president Dick Cass gave a State of the Ravens address, while equipment manager Ed Carroll and nutritionist Sue James taught seminars. There was also representation from many sponsors of the night, like Smyth Jewlers, Hearts on Fire and Filene's Basement.

One of the most-popular events was an officiating presentation, where NFL referees offered their insight into the rule book.

"Things like this really bring everyone in," said Laurel's Denise Redmond, a PSL-holder from the Ravens' Memorial Stadium days. "For the referee's presentation, we're just trying to pick their brains, and I'm looking forward to sitting in the stands, seeing a call and saying to my neighbor, ‘This is why they did this…'

"It's one thing for my husband to tell me about a rule, but it's different when it's someone that I don't have to eat dinner with."

All levels of football knowledge were represented, from those still learning the game to the seasoned NFL veteran.

"My dad grew up playing football all his life, and he always used to take us to games as a kid," said Redmond's daughter Anette. "That was our family time, and before we used to say touchdowns were home runs, but I learned what a touchdown is over the years. I learned what a first down is. I know what a false start is.

"Hey, I can call plays!" she added with a laugh.

The Ravens will leave the play-calling to head coach Brian Billick, but considering mom's purple No. 55 jersey with the words "DEE FENSE" emblazoned across the nameplate, these ladies know what to call out on game day.