Never Easy, Never Pretty

When the Ravens won the 2012 Super Bowl in New Orleans, it was a joyous moment for fans and team alike. For Dean Bartoli Smith, a lifelong Baltimore football fan, it was especially sweet. In Never Easy, Never Pretty, this former sportswriter has compiled an insightful and poignant collection of essays about the Ravens and their championship season. A one-of-a-kind football book, Never Easy, Never Pretty features a diverse array of perspectives on the team and the games from fans - both partisan and non-partisan. The book is also peppered with quotes, interviews and commentary from broadcasters, current and former players such as John Harbaugh, Ray Lewis, and Art Donovan plus members of the Ravens' management including Kevin Byrne, Steve Bisciotti and Ozzie Newsome. Chronicling Smith's first Colt football memories in 1970 to his seat at Super Bowl XLVII for the Ravens game against the 49ers Never Easy, Never Pretty highlights the Ravens' electrifying season and celebrates a team, a city, and its emotional landscape during last year's incomprehensible run to a Super Bowl victory. Highlight of Never Easy, Never Pretty include: *The 4th & 29 play by Ray Rice against the Chargers *The game-saving first down *The 70-yard bomb from Joe Flacco to Jacoby Jones known as the "Mile High Miracle" *Interviews with Rob Burnett, Keith Mills, Lenny Moore, Sean Landeta, Terrell Suggs, Tom Matte and many others