A dive into purple pride at the National Aquarium – The Baltimore Banner

Diver Emily Kelly gives a thumbs-up in her Ravens gear while waving a flag in the water Friday. Nearby, a silver arowana swims. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)

Scuba divers make a splash for the Ravens

The energy in the city is so high in anticipation of the AFC championship game that even the fish down below are feeling it.

Staff and volunteer divers at the National Aquarium took to the Atlantic Coral Reef tanks in their favorite Ravens gear and jerseys, swimming with the porcupine fish, black groupers, humphead wrasses, silver arowanas and more. The 335,000-gallon exhibit is home to over 1,000 animals and 70 species.

Staff and volunteer divers at the National Aquarium in Baltimore show off their Baltimore Ravens pride ahead of the AFC Championship game this weekend on January 26, 2024. — Staff and volunteer divers at the National Aquarium in Baltimore show off their Ravens pride. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)

“You can really feel the electricity in the city during this exciting time. I walked by someone with a Ravens hat and got a big smile. With [the National Aquarium] being such a monumental part of this city, it feels good to be able to support another monumental part [the Ravens].”

Diver Allison Potter, who wore a Ravens hat and jersey while she swam with the fish

Allison Potter, left, and Emily Kelly, right, divers at the National Aquarium, take to the water in their Ravens gear. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)

“You can really feel the electricity in the city during this exciting time. I walked by someone with a Ravens hat and got a big smile,” said diver Allison Potter, who wore a Ravens hat and jersey while she swam with the fish. “With [the National Aquarium] being such a monumental part of this city, it feels good to be able to support another monumental part [the Ravens],” she said.

The tiniest supporters also came out. Paxton Suggs, 2, wore her scuba diver costume that she made for the Halloween event a few months ago. The costume features an “oxygen tank,” which is a 2-liter bottle strapped to her back.

Paxton Suggs, 2, wears a scuba diver costume complete with a bottle — Paxton Suggs, 2, wears a scuba diver costume complete with an “oxygen tank” as she watches Emily Kelly inside the tank. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)

Senior Aquarist Emily Kelly shows Paxton Suggs, 2, her scuba regulator during the National Aquarium’s Purple Plunge. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

The Ravens will play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Kaitlin Newman is a photojournalist specializing in multimedia coverage. Her main areas of focus are politics, conflict, feature and breaking news.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Professional Writing from Towson University, which is where she is also the professor of photojournalism.