From Cleveland to Baltimore: How the Ravens Began
The Baltimore Ravens did not exist before 1996. When the Cleveland Browns moved to Maryland that year, an agreement with the NFL left the Browns name, colours and records in Cleveland, so Baltimore needed something new. The city chose a name drawn from Edgar Allan Poe, who had lived and worked in Baltimore: the Ravens. The colour palette came from the Maryland state flag, which is why purple, black and gold run through every uniform the franchise has ever worn.
The 2000 Season and Super Bowl XXXV
Baltimore's first championship arrived quickly. The 2000 Ravens built one of the most dominant defences in league history, and the unit carried the team all the way through Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa. Ray Lewis was named the game's Most Valuable Player, and the purple and black became a permanent part of the championship landscape. The jersey from that era is still the template most fans picture when they think of Ravens football: simple block numerals, a heavy purple body and a crest on the sleeve.
Super Bowl XLVII and the Flacco Era
Twelve years later Baltimore won it again. The 2012 team rode a four-touchdown run from Joe Flacco through the playoffs and beat San Francisco in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. Flacco took the game's MVP award. That stretch produced the modern Ravens look: slightly slimmer numerals, the shield crest moved to the collar, and a black alternate jersey that has become one of the most requested kits in the store.
The Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry Era
Lamar Jackson changed what a Ravens uniform had to do. His running style made the jersey a piece of athletic equipment as much as a fan garment, and Baltimore leaned into that with tighter fits and lighter mesh. Jackson has taken home multiple league MVP awards in a Ravens uniform, and the arrival of Derrick Henry added a power backfield pairing that made the purple No. 22 one of the fastest-selling numbers in the shop.
Reading a Ravens Jersey Up Close
Three details separate a properly made Ravens jersey from a cheap printed one. First, the numerals: they should be layered tackle twill, sewn down with visible satin stitching, not a heat transfer with a smooth plastic surface. Second, the neck: a ribbed V-neck with a sewn jock tag and the league mark, rather than a printed rectangle. Third, the sleeve: the shield crest should have a raised edge you can feel under your thumb. If all three are present, the jersey will hold its shape and colour after repeated washing.
Care, Fit and Sizing
Ravens jerseys fit true to a standard US athletic cut. Measure your chest at the fullest point and match it to the size chart on the product page; size up if you plan to wear it over a hoodie. Wash inside out in cold water, never tumble dry on high heat, and press stitched areas on the reverse only. That keeps the twill flat and stops the purple from fading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Ravens logo a shield with a bird? The crest combines a stylised raven head with lettering drawn from Maryland's flag, which is also where the purple and gold come from.
What is the rarest Ravens jersey to find? Early 1996 and 1997 jerseys with the original wordmark and number fonts turn up rarely, because the team changed details after only a couple of seasons.
Are the numbers stitched? On our Ravens jerseys, yes, the numbers and nameplate are layered tackle twill that is sewn down rather than printed.
Can I wear a Ravens jersey to a game at M&T Bank Stadium? Absolutely. The mesh body is built for a packed stadium, and the stitching is made to survive repeated wear.