A Portsmouth woman’s “passion, loyalty and infectious enthusiasm” has seen her named as an NFL teams’ International Fan of the Year.
Jamie Pembroke, 38, from North End, has been an avid Baltimore Ravens fan since spending a summer in Ocean City, Maryland in 2010 on a student/work visa. Attending a BBQ at a friend’s house she was invited in to watch her first ever NFL game and has been hooked ever since with the Maryland based Ravens becoming a huge passion of hers.
Her dedication has culminated in recognition from the team itself as she was surprised by her family and friends at a reveal ceremony in Portsmouth. Having put her name forward for the title of International Fan of the Year, she thought no more of it and certainly did not expect to win.
Jamie Pembroke from Portsmouth has been named as the Baltimore Ravens international fan of the year.placeholder image
Jamie Pembroke from Portsmouth has been named as the Baltimore Ravens international fan of the year. | RavensUK
As such, she had no inkling of what she was walking into when her sister Abigail took her to what she thought was her auntie’s retirement party at the Staggeringly Good Brewery. Abigail, who was in cahoots with the team and the NFL over the award, managed to keep her distracted before she was taken upstairs for the big reveal.
Jamie said: “When the curtain was pulled back and I saw my friends and family cheering with Ravens flags, I was completely confused! I honestly thought I had walked into a belated birthday party with a Ravens theme.
“But when I saw the board held by Edgar, the Ravens mascot, revealing me as the International Fan of the Year, it was like everything stopped for a moment. I was in total shock – I never imagined being selected, let alone finding out in such an unforgettable way!
“Once the excitement settled in and I realised what I had just won, I couldn’t help but feel incredibly grateful and lucky.”
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Jamie Pembroke at the surprise reveal of her winning Baltimore Ravens International Fan of the Year at the Staggeringly Good Brewery.placeholder image
Jamie Pembroke at the surprise reveal of her winning Baltimore Ravens International Fan of the Year at the Staggeringly Good Brewery. | NFL
The win is more than just a title for Jamie, who is a cancer care co-ordinator at Queens Alexandra Hospital, with the team flying her off to Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft between April 23 and 25. She will be in attendance representing the Ravens as all of the teams select the best and brightest athletes from US colleges.
As well attending the big event in Pittsburgh, she will also have the chance to spend a couple of days in Baltimore and visit the Raven’s M&T Bank Stadium for the first time.
Jamie said: "I am beyond grateful and deeply honoured to be named the Baltimore Ravens International fan of the year. This team has been a huge part of my life since 2010, and I’m thrilled to be able to celebrate this recognition with the Ravens community.
“The opportunity to attend the NFL Draft and represent Ravens Flock on such a big stage is something I’ll never forget. From Ocean City to M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens have given me so many unforgettable memories, and I can’t wait to experience the draft and witness the passion of the Ravens Flock first hand. This award means the world to me”
Although this April will be the first time she has visited Baltimore, she has followed them passionately and diligently from afar and was able to attend the two London games the team played in 2017 and 2023.
A Baltimore Ravens spokesperson said: “Jamie’s passion, loyalty, and infectious enthusiasm make her a perfect choice for our 2025 International Fan of the Year.”
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