The Epilogue: Thank You!

Heading into my senior year at Archbishop Curley, we were asked to share a few thoughts – channeled meanderings of our time spent at Curley. These tidbits were intended to sit beside our senior portraits that would eventually be displayed in the yearbook. One of the things asked of us – what is your career ambition?

As a kid, like many of you, I harbored hopes of becoming a professional athlete. I can even recall my Mom, having recognized the hopeful and lofty vocation, using it to guide my behaviors in the right direction. For example, she might say to me, “Tony, you should never smoke. No Major League baseball player smokes!”

Later I learned that wasn’t true, but Mom made her point and it worked. I’ve never smoked. I also came to the realization that this dream wasn’t going to materialize. I was a good athlete, but not the kind that one day would position me beside Cal Ripken to forge a rock-solid middle infield. And so, I thought of the next best thing. I wanted to become a sportscaster.

Back then, planning for college really didn’t begin in earnest until the outset of your senior year. I had grandiose plans of going to the University of Miami. The brochures in the Guidance Counselor’s office just screamed at me. Palm trees and sunshine were the lure, as were the attractive girls that I imagined roamed the campus in abundance.

But my parents and my Uncle Joe snatched away those delusions of grandeur. Instead of packing my bags and heading to the warmth of South Beach, I would stay in Baltimore and attend Loyola University, then known as Loyola College.

No one bothered to ask me what I wanted to do with my life. No one wanted to know what I was passionate about – what I might love to do for a living. I’m not blaming Mom, Dad or Uncle Joe. I was to be the first in our family to attend college. They weren’t coming at this delivering advice from experience. They were diving in for the first time, just like me. Their intentions were good and pure.

Consequently, I picked a major that we all believed had broad applications – Business Administration. That sportscaster thing drifted away like a helium balloon that escapes the grasp of a child.

“I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger.” ~ Ooh La La, The Faces

My journey would not be that which I had originally aspired to embark upon — different than the story etched beside my senior portrait. Yet I have no regrets.

Life is an interesting game of connecting the dots, particularly in retrospect. A choice made along the way directs you to something new. And that happens again and again and again. You meet people along the way. Some are acquaintances; some are friends; some become the family you choose. Had you made a choice different than the one you acted on back then, perhaps your life looks a lot different today. Maybe some, now near and dear to me, aren’t in the picture. That’s life. That’s all it is. I’m sure you can relate.

But I’m more than happy where life has taken me. I’ve been blessed by some amazing people. I’m a better man because of them. I wouldn’t change a thing because in doing so, even if you could, you risk the beauty of where you are today. The dots have been good to me.

I have so many to thank. My parents who gave me a foundation built upon love. It has been my security blanket throughout my existence. My wife Ruthie, for being my rock, my cheerleader, my confidante and so much more. My children, for their love, pride and their innate ability to inspire me. My sister Ronni for her immense support during RSR’s infancy. My friends who encouraged me through their accolades, love and thoughtful suggestions. My partners, Bill and John who became friends, share my vision and allow me to run this site the way I do without any interference. Your business acumen helped us to achieve.

My team that brings so much talent to the table. With your help we’ve built something that has become part of the fabric of #RavensFlock. I respect your talents and appreciate your friendships even more. Derek Arnold, my right-hand dude, the TL whisperer who walks me back from the ledge whenever I’m about to go postal. You are my voice of reason for all things RSR and the Grand Poobah of ESR. Steve Gardner, our forums admin and his merry band of moderators for building an amazing community for Ravens fans. My web-team – Larry Dukes, Morgan Knox and Mark Ionescu from Red Dog Agency for keeping the drag and lift of the rudder of the SS RSR accurate, free-flowing and at an optimum angle.

To our previous webmasters, also were instrumental to our success. Tanja Giles, Heather Basmajian, Laurie Tochterman and Max Stanley of D3 Corp. Thank you for your talents, creativity and your ability to bring my crazy ideas to life.

To all of the wonderful people at The Original Greene Turtle in Ocean City, Maryland who welcomed me as part of Ravens Rap. It was a pleasure working with you, laughing with you and earning your friendship. Mike Popovec, Bruce Laird, Steve “Pappo” Pappas, Dawn Hodge, Eileen Taglienti and Bobby Vermillion, thank you.

To the Ravens for accepting RSR as members of the media and inviting us in. To Eric DeCosta, Steve Bisciotti, John Harbaugh, Kevin Byrne, Chad Steele, Patrick Gleason, Toni Lekas and Valerie Wideman for their time, guidance and thoughtfulness. To the media members who have become friends of RSR such as Mark Viviano, Scott Garceau, Jeff Zrebiec, Keith Mills, Jamie Costello, Gerry Sandusky, Sage Steele, Rob Long, Jeremy Conn, Bob Haynie, Vinny Cerrato, Kirk McEwen, Garrett Downing, Cliff Brown, thank you for your sharing time and insights.

To our adversaries who helped keep our nose to the grindstone and inspire us to be better. To all Ravens Nests and Roosts who have supported us and invited us to your meetings for some Ravens chat. And last but certainly not least, to our customers and site visitors, without whom, none of this would be possible. Without whom that vision, that sketch upon that Dough Roller napkin which became Ravens24x7.com, would never have reached this milestone of 20 years. Not even close!

I’m sure there are some that I’ve missed and if so, please forgive me and/or slap me in the head the next time I’m blessed by your presence.

This 35,000+ word trip down memory lane has been a rewarding sojourn. It has reminded me of all who helped along the way and it has reignited my passion for the team during a time when the fervor’s flame seemed to flicker. I said this in a previous chapter but in closing, it bears repeating. If for some reason the walls of RSR turned into a John Mellencamp song and came crumblin’ down tomorrow, there would be no regrets. I would still be thankful for all that RSR has been and is, because of you – because of all who I met along the way. Each and every one of you has impacted my life and those of my family. You are blessings from above.

And I hope that in some way we’ve impacted your life. That in some small way we’ve brought some insight, perhaps a little joy or even a place for you to vent your spleen over a failed challenge by John Harbaugh, a mind-numbing pass by Joe Flacco or Lamar Jackson’s careless handling of the football. It’s all good. Together we support a great franchise. Together we’ve shaped RSR.

I’m so glad you all came along.

And mostly, I hope this story inspires you or someone you know, to do what you love and love what you do.

For 35,000 words, that has been the goal.

This song and accompanying pictures seem like a fitting way to put a bow on our series, The History of RSR. Thanks to all who make RSR happen. We really appreciate it. ✌🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/oMMPylkDWx

— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) October 3, 2023

[Click HERE for the entire series on The History of RSR]