The Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts kick off a full weekend of NFL preseason action tonight. The game will be held in Baltimore, where the Ravens are hosting their “Family Night.” As part of the festivities, the team announced that the Maryland State Boychoir will perform the national anthem before kickoff.
What Is the Maryland State Boychoir?
The Maryland State Boychoir is made up of more than 130 choristers from diverse backgrounds across nine Maryland counties, Baltimore City, and the Washington, D.C. suburbs.
The group includes boys ranging in age from 7 to 20, and it holds open auditions annually to welcome new members.
The group performs over 80 times annually, including tours that have taken them beyond Maryland to places like Iceland, Europe, Canada, and 35 other states. They have even performed at the White House.
The choir sang the national anthem during the Ravens’ preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons last season.
They will be joined by the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute’s Junior ROTC color guard, who will present the colors at tonight’s game.
The national anthem is one of many ways the Ravens will incorporate local families into their “Family Night.”
What other Ravens Family Night Festivities are There?
The Ravens have a full slate of special events planned for tonight’s “Family Night” game against the Colts.
The first 15,000 children under the age of 16 will receive a Ravens-themed Poe Hat as part of a gate giveaway. During player introductions, youth flag and tackle football players will run out alongside the Ravens’ offense and be introduced with the team.
At halftime, in celebration of the NFL’s Play Football Month and to help grow the game among girls, the Ravens will host a girls’ flag football game featuring players from Henry E. Lackey High School, North Point High School, St. Charles High School, and Patuxent High School.
During a quarter break, the team will recognize its 16th class of Ravens Scholars. This program awards local high school students with $5,000 scholarships each year to support their college education.
Additionally, the Ravens will feature Young Dylan, an Annapolis native and star of Tyler Perry’s “Young Dylan” show, in the game coverage. He’ll serve as a junior sideline reporter for the night and has worked with the NFL before.
This interview with @YoungDylan & @19problemz is so wholesome. 🥺 #NickWildCard | @Nickelodeon | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/rzTOD9nXWE
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2022
It should be a night full of activities for the local youth in and around Baltimore, and it will all kick off with an epic national anthem performance from the Maryland State Boychoir.
