Howard County Government Going Stark (Baltimore) Ravens Mad

A purple haze will be cast over Howard County over the next several days, with County Executive Ken Ulman calling on government staff to support the playoff-bound Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens, whose 12-4 record earned them an AFC wild-card playoff berth, will go on the road to face the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Chiefs won the AFC West with a 10-6 record.

Two county buildings – the George Howard Building in Ellicott City and the Gateway Building in Columbia – will have purple lights shining on them as of Tuesday evening,

And with Baltimore's opponent in mind, Ulman has banned the word "chief" from being used for the remainder of the week, according to a county news release.

Alas, Howard County has at least two chiefs on its staff – Howard County Police Chief William McMahon and Howard County Fire Chief William Goddard.

Fortunately for McMahon and Goddard, the Ravens are facing the Chiefs and not a certain football team out of Buffalo.

This means that McMahon and Goddard will be referred to, for the moment, as Bill No. 1 and Bill No. 2.

Ulman also is encouraging county employees to wear Baltimore Ravens' clothing this Friday.

"Howard County is where Maryland comes together, and nothing brings us together like the Ravens," Ulman said in a statement. "We want to make sure the Ravens and all of their fans know that purple passion cannot be contained at the Baltimore border. It's all over the state."

This is neither Howard County's first purple haze, nor will Friday be the first of the county's purple days.

A year ago, Ulman made Jan. 8 "Willis McGahee 'Dayhee,' " so named after the Ravens' running back, who lives in Howard County.

The pun didn't stop there.

Last year the government cafeteria added these items: a "McGahee Burger," which was a turkey burger with purple chips; and, well, we'll let the county's word wizards put forth the remainder of the groaners.

"Also on the menu that day were Harbaugh hot dogs with a (Todd) Heap of chili and a scoop of (Ray) Rice," reads the media release.

That's not all.

Said Ulman: "No question that was some good (Ben) Grubbs."

The team spirit will continue for as long as Baltimore is in the playoffs, according to the news release.

"When it comes to the Ravens, you Ngata believe."