Perhaps you already know parts of the story of local swimming sensation Jessica Long. Maybe you’ve seen her on the evening news or you’ve seen her honored locally or even nationally on the ESPY’s or as the 2006 James Sullivan Award winner.

As a journalist here for 29 years, I’ve had the privilege of knowing some special athletes and people around sports. The Baltimore connections and heroes are among some of the greatest names in the sports universe from Johnny Unitas and Brooks Robinson to Ray Lewis and Cal Ripken not mention from Michael Phelps back to Babe Ruth. But the story of Jessica Long is better than any of them because of what she doesn’t have.

Jessica Long doesn’t have legs.

While all eyes and focus were on Baltimore’s worldwide star Michael Phelps this summer during the Olympic Games from London, another local swimmer & world-class competitor was waiting in the wings to make her third splash in the Paralympic Games, which followed the Closing Ceremonies in England.

Jessica Long first gained local and national attention as a 12-year old at the 2004 Athens games and now has been through the Beijing and London games and is emerging as a model, spokesperson and inspiration to people all over the world. Oh, and she’s turns 21 in February but her eyes have seen the world in a big way and this past year and this unfolding story I’m about to tell is incredible, heart-warming and still doesn’t have an ending – happy or otherwise.

Then again, almost everything surrounding Jessica Long always seems to turn out with an immense level of happiness and smiles all around. This blog will end with a video of her surrounded by Ray Lewis, Ray Rice, John Harbaugh draped with her Paralympic gold medals and you’ll see her mantra for the coach in regard to the Baltimore Ravens’ playoff run:

“Pressure is a privilege,” she says.

*        *       *

The Paralympics Games attract an all-too-small fraction of the attention of the sports and media spotlight so it’s up to people like me in places like Baltimore to tell you about my favorite sports story of 2012 and hope to inspire you as we enter 2013.

My favorite Baltimore sports story of 2012 is about Jessica Long and you’ll soon find out why.

This story is lengthy because it needs to be and contains various links and pictures that I personally hope you check out and read as you begin another year. Your 2013 will probably begin with two legs so think about the courage of Jessica Long and her amazing narrative

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The Ravens/Steelers rivalry is arguably the best in sports and is definitely the best in football.  It has produced some great games and with that comes great memories and moments.  Of the 35 meetings between these two franchises, Pittsburgh owns the all time series by a 21-14 margin.  This has been an extremely close rivalry in the last few years especially.  Five of the last six regular season meetings between these two teams have been decided by three points.  Sunday night should be another memorable contest even if the Ravens don’t have to face Ben Roethlisberger.

Here are my most memorable games from the rivalry:

November 4^th, 2001 – The Ravens shut out the Steelers in the second half and held running back Jerome Bettis to under 100 yards for the 6^th straight time up to that point.  Matt Stover was able to connect on a go-ahead field goal in swirling winds while Steelers kicker, Kris Brown, miss a game tying field goal to give the Ravens the victory and hand the Steelers their first lost at Heinz Field.  How fitting is was against the Ravens, right?

December 28^th, 2003 – Jamal Lewis came into this game (the final game of the season) 148 yards shy of Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record.  It came down to the last drive but Lewis was not able to surpass Dickerson and finished just 39 yards shy of the record.  The Ravens kicked a game winning field to finish the season 10-6 and the Steelers finished 6-10.  Steelers linebacker Joey Porter said after the game “we wasn’t going to let him get the overall record. He got some yards, but he didn’t get the record.” Just like a Steeler not to use proper English.

November 29^th, 2009 – Pittsburgh came into the game with a one game lead over the Ravens in the division.  In a hard hitting contest it was only fitting that it would take overtime to settle it.  The Steelers received the ball to start but it didn’t take long for then rookie Paul Kruger to intercept Dennis Dixon and set up the Ravens for a game winning by Billy Cundiff.  Joe Flacco said after the game “It feels good. It’s what we needed. Against these guys, it’s even bigger.

October 3^rd, 2010 – Pittsburgh took the lead 14-10 midway through the fourth quarter and stood the Ravens up on the goal line in the final minutes after Joe Flacco threw an incomplete pass on fourth down.  All seemed lost until the defense was able to force the Steelers to punt and a crucial holding penalty gave Baltimore the ball on Pittsburgh’s 40 yard line.  Flacco then connected with T.J. Houshmandzadeh on an 18 yard strike to put the Ravens up for good with the help of a Ray Lewis interception to seal the deal.

November 6^th, 2011 – Another close game came down to the wire.  Torrey Smith dropped a wide open pass in the endzone only to come back and make an even better catch to give the Ravens the lead with mere seconds remaining.  This was also the game Terrell Suggs had a leaping interception of Ben Roethlisberger stealing points off the board from Pittsburgh.