Monday Morning Cheerleader: Michelle of the Ravens
By Steve Mazzucchi
Esquire
After Baltimore crushed Miami, a high-flying Ravenette looked back on a spitting controversy and ahead to the Super Bowl — then offered a little more on Randy Moss and why Lady Gaga could never play linebacker.
This Sunday’s thrills included three overtimes, Michael Vick returning to lead the Eagles past the Colts, and the other Peyton (Hillis, of the Browns) eviscerating the Pats with 184 rushing yards. Meanwhile, one of the NFL’s best teams quietly took care of business, as the Ravens whipped three interceptions, 38 minutes of possession, and 402 total yards into a 26-10 drowning of the hitherto-unbeatable-on-the-road Dolphins.
Perhaps this 6-and-2 squad is simply channeling the mindset of third-year cheerleader Michelle. Yes, she’s a self-proclaimed country girl from tiny La Plata, Maryland. “Below D.C., we’re pretty Southern,” she explains. “I’ve been cow-tipping, because that’s literally all there is to do.” But working for a mechanical contractor, she’s got more drive than an F-150. “We put in newer AC systems that save energy. It’s a male-dominated industry, so it’s pretty ironic that I cheer, but I love it.” She talks a great game, too.
ESQUIRE:Another comfortable Ravens win. What were the keys?
MICHELLE: We had some good turnovers. Ed Reed’s coming off his injury and picking up right where he left off, and Josh Wilson shined in the second half. Joe Flacco had a 129 passer rating. We were good on both sides of the football, but against the Bills, we got run all over, so it’s nice to see our defense getting back to what it’s known for.
ESQ: Miami linebacker Channing Crowder said Le’Ron McClain spit in his face, then he called him a “ho,” then he compared the refs to Stevie Wonder, Helen Keller, and… Anne Frank? Does that make any sense at all?
MIC: No. I think it all started because of a Miami player calling Derrick Mason old. I understand the name-calling, it’s all in the sport, but for all I know, he could have been speaking, and spit came out. I guess he’s calling the refs blind. It’s funny. Guys put their heart and soul into the game, and they get caught up in it.
ESQ: Ray Lewis had eight tackles. Ray Rice had 180 total yards. Are they the baddest pair of Rays in the game?
MIC: Yeah, fans make signs and shirts that say WE LOVE OUR RAYS, but we’re pretty stacked all over, with T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Anquan Boldin, Haloti Ngota, Reed. When Rice takes off, he’s like a rocket. And it never gets old watching Lewis run out of the tunnel. It sends shivers up your back, even when you already have shivers because it’s freezing. He’s awesome.
ESQ: Who looks better in bubbles: Lady Gaga, or Lewis in that Old Spice ad?
MIC: Lewis. I laughed so hard when I saw that one, and I’m not a fan of Gaga. I also like the one with the bear, just because I’m from the backwoods. I’ve seen him speak to kids with Play 60 and really instill that football mentality. He definitely has a more humble, selfless side to him.
ESQ: In his third season, Joe Flacco already has the most passing yards in Ravens history. Does that say more about Flacco, or all the QBs before him?
MIC: It says a lot about Flacco, but also about the coaching staff, the foundation they’ve built, their drive and style. He’s so young, only a year older than me, and there’s a lot of pressure on him. It speaks to him but also to the organization having faith to pursue being more well rounded.
ESQ: Randy Moss is now on his third NFL team of the season. Does he scare you at all?
MIC: No, not at all. I feel bad for him having to bounce around, and he’ll probably play lights-out somewhere, but we’re focused on what we’re doing.
ESQ: Besides the Ravens, who’s the best in the AFC?
MIC: It’s a tough call. The Jets are strong, but we beat them. We beat the Steelers already, but they’re doing great with Big Ben back. The Pats were looking good, but they lost today. Everyone’s dancing around. Our conference is just really, really tough.
ESQ: Meanwhile, everyone says the NFC is just awful. Which team would you want to face in the Super Bowl?
MIC: That doesn’t matter, but I’ve been saying from the start that I think we’ll meet up with the Vikings. That’d be really interesting.
ESQ: Purple vs. purple?
MIC: Yeah! It’d be nice to put them in their place.
ESQ: Your company prioritizes going green. How turned off would you be if a guy, say, didn’t recycle his soda can?
MIC: It’s not that big a deal. I’m not dainty or girly or a flower child save-the-world kind of girl. A big turnoff would be a guy who’s not motivated. I can tell you my goals and what I plan to do. I’m busy, I’m into my career and the Ravens, I’m not going to be able to see that person all the time. They’ve got to have their own stuff going on. They can’t just be on the couch whining about when they’re going to see me again.
ESQ: The Ravens are the only team with male cheerleaders. How does that make your squad different, besides the obvious?
MIC: We’re definitely more talented. It sets us apart, having stunts. I was born and raised being tossed around. I knew how to fly before I could walk. We can be glamorous with our uniforms, calendar, and pictures, but we run four miles twice a week. Our dancers are more technical, and as a stunt cheerleader, I can flip 20 to 30 feet in the air, come back down, and still bat my eyes at the crowd.
