Skip to main content

Column: Redskins fans should ditch Ravens bandwagon

By WTOP Staff

What do you think Redskins fans should do? Cheer or not cheer for the Ravens? Post a comment in this story, comment on WTOP’s Facebook Page or use #WTOP on Twitter.

Rob Woodfork, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – OK, I’ve seen enough.

In the week and a half since the Baltimore Ravens clinched their second Super Bowl trip in franchise history, we’ve been beaten over the head with words like “Harbowl,” “Team of Destiny” and “Ray Lewis” virtually nonstop. And that’s just what we’re dealing with on a national level.

Here locally, it’s been far worse. Not only are we getting a steady dose of all things Harbaugh and Lewis, but D.C. fans are being prodded into drinking the purple Kool-Aid and riding alongside our neighbors to the north on their cruise to the Crescent City.

To which I politely reply, “Hell no.”

Allow me to elaborate. I’ve lived in this area for more than two-thirds of my life. I split my teenage years between Howard County and Prince George’s County, so I’m very familiar with both the Baltimore and Washington areas. The two are distinctly different. Yes, Baltimore and Washington share a parkway and an airport (and even then, the airport is nestled ever so tightly into Baltimore’s bosom while Washington has two closer options), but that’s about the extent of it.

Over the years, Baltimore has largely demonstrated a disinterest in D.C. sports. While those up north do get into the Capitals for the most part, they’re totally indifferent toward the Nationals for many of the same reasons Redskins fans are indifferent toward the Ravens. Baltimore generally doesn’t care about the Wizards (to be fair, a lot of D.C. doesn’t care about the Wiz either … but I digress), and a large segment of Ravens fans possess a misplaced hatred for the Redskins.

Think about it: If it were the Redskins in Super Bowl XLVII, how much do you think Baltimore would care? Would there be extensive Baltimore media coverage? Would there be cheesy puff pieces like this one imploring Baltimore fans to lend their voices to the Redskins’ cause?

Absolutely not.

In fact, many Baltimore fans vehemently resent the Redskins in part because that’s the team they were forced to see during the time between the Colts’ departure and the arrival of the Ravens. And that has nothing to do with the quality of play — the ‘Skins won two Super Bowls and were perennial contenders for much of the time between 1984-1996.

It’s got everything to do with the fact that it wasn’t their team.

So again I ask: Why support a team/city that didn’t support yours — even when there was no alternative?

If anything, D.C. fans should feel far more civic pride in San Francisco’s team: four former All-Met athletes (Vernon Davis, Ahmad Brooks, NaVorro Bowman and Cam Johnson) grace the 49ers’ roster, with one of them (Brooks) having the distinction of being the son of a former Redskin. Plus, the Niners look a lot like the kind of team the current ‘Skins are close to becoming — a consistently competitive squad blessed with a versatile young passer at the helm of an explosive offense, complemented by a swarming and aggressive defense. If the Redskins can’t clutch a fourth Lombardi Trophy, then D.C. fans might as well see someone do it using their same formula.

Just to be clear, I don’t hate the Ravens or Baltimore. As I said before, I grew up a short drive from there and still enjoy a nice Saturday walk along the Inner Harbor. I simply don’t buy the notion that D.C. needs to have some sort of affinity for the Ravens just because there happens to be another NFL team only 40 miles up the road — especially when that feeling would be far from mutual.

So,  Redskins Nation, your options are every bit as wide open now as they are in any other season when your team isn’t playing. You don’t owe the Ravens anything. Just watch the game casually, enjoy the commercials and give your blood pressure a much-needed reprieve after a long season of Hailing the Redskins.

After all, the NFL is cyclical. It won’t be long before the pendulum swings toward the southern portion of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

Follow @WTOPSports and @WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2013 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote