Flacco's playoff beard a hit or a miss?
Beards -- you love 'em or you hate 'em.
Joe Flacco's got one going now, a scruffy, brown growth that either makes him look tough and swashbuckling or like one of those Amish guys in the ads for electric heaters, depending on your point of view.
As you may know, the Ravens' quarterback broke it out right before his team's final regular-season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
"Really, I usually get it to a week's length and then I cut it off for the game," he said that week. "But a couple (teammates) said I should probably try to keep it, and I said 'All right, why not?'"
Sure enough, the beard became an immediate hit with a certain segment of Ravens fans. Some even grew their own beards in his honor, splashing the news all over their Facebook pages.
And now the Flacco beard will get even more scrutiny after his terrific performance (25-of-34 passing for 265 yards and two touchdowns) in the Ravens dominating 30-7 playoff win over the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday.
The TV announcers at Arrowhead Stadium said Flacco "looks like Grizzly Adams with that beard."
But that's become a cliche, and it's far too facile a cliche to use with Flacco, who's not exactly known for bringing attention to himself.
Plus he's probably too young to know that Grizzly Adams was a legendary mountaineer and grizzly bear tamer in the Old West in the late 1800's, forever immortalized in a corny TV show in the mid-70's starring Dan Haggerty.
The last time a beard in professional sports got this much attention was during the baseball playoffs last fall, when San Francisco closer Brian Wilson took the mound with a luxurious beard that he dyed jet black.
The beard made Wilson look like a cross between a young Fidel Castro and Joaquin Phoenix the night he gave that bizarre interview to David Letterman.
But Wilson is a nut, an out-sized flamboyant personality who needs attention the way the rest of us need oxygen.
How else to explain all his histrionics whenever he closed a game, the crazy, samurai-like crossing of his arms that he said was an homage to the MMA fight game, his Christian faith and the memory of his father?
Whew. Flacco's personality is about as different from Wilson's as it gets. Flacco didn't grow a beard for attention. He grew it because he was too lazy to shave and his teammates liked the look.
And now he's stuck with it. Because how can you shave off a playoff beard when it's brought you so much good luck?
Answer: you can't.
If the Ravens so much as see Flacco reaching for a razor now, they'll kill him.
But let us know what you think.
That sound you heard was probably Grizzly Adams rolling over in his grave.
Photo credits: US Presswire, Baltimore Sun
Comments
Hit.
Go Joe!
GO RAVENS!
Posted by: Mook | January 10, 2011 12:04 PM
The Flacco beard is clearly an EPIC WIN, and I think he's one win away from this whole town being covered in facial hair, the likes of which haven't been seen since Mo-vember
Posted by: Double b | January 10, 2011 12:04 PM
I really hope he never cuts it off. How cool would it be if he was the only NFL Quarterback with a large beard. I always liked Keisel's beard in Pittsburgh. Flacco with a healthy gruff beard like that (especially if he only slightly trims everything but the mustache and makes it as handlebar esque as possible) would basically be telling the world he's Joe Flacco and he can do as he pleases.
I want Joe to be Joe. Just play lights out football and you can be a bald dork or even a Nazi. I don't mind. Just throw the ball like you did yesterday (if not better).
Posted by: Richard Pronnekke | January 10, 2011 12:16 PM
Keep the beard!
Posted by: Ed Fishel | January 10, 2011 12:16 PM
This is by far the dumbest thing to ever appear on this web site. Seriously, what is this? Is this a gossip rag now? Are we going to start talking about who he's dating...
Hey editor, do you have some hot fashion tips to make me look slimmer on game day when I go to the Ravens. Should I try to fit into my girlfriend's jersey to bring attention to my bulging pecs...
It's a f-ing beard. Do you watch hockey at the playoffs? Sidney Crosby can't even grow a mustache...
Posted by: James | January 10, 2011 12:19 PM
Breathtaking topic.
Posted by: gabes | January 10, 2011 12:30 PM
Total thumbs up.... The Phillies had it rolling when they won the World series in 08... Mines coming in nicely, its good to see that playoff beard will be well represented in Charm City this year.... PS., we can shave in Dallas
Posted by: Tom | January 10, 2011 12:31 PM
Totally a thumbs up - it's the playoffs!
Posted by: Mar | January 10, 2011 12:34 PM
my wife liked it, and she doesn't even like the Ravens
Posted by: Joe (in Bangor, ME) | January 10, 2011 12:44 PM
The beard should stay. Joe looks gruff & tough and hopefully the toughness will flow out onto the field!!!
Posted by: bsmc | January 10, 2011 12:48 PM
have to keep it now. If he reaches for a razor i'm pretty sure that internal radar will go off in every Raven and Raven fan. It will be like the family guy episode when the kids try to adjust the thermostat.
Posted by: marshall413 | January 10, 2011 12:56 PM
Thumbs up. He looks good.
Posted by: dominic | January 10, 2011 12:58 PM
Definitely thumbs up! Plus he can't shave it off now until after the SuperBowl.
Posted by: June Lease | January 10, 2011 1:02 PM
He looks like Tv's Craig Ferguson in the left picture, and a Soviet soldier on the right.. Its the bad russian fighter pilot hair cut though....
Posted by: Annoy The Boring | January 10, 2011 1:08 PM
Thumbs up on the beard. Tough as nails!
Posted by: Mya Opinion | January 10, 2011 1:25 PM
Thumbs up. My playoff beard is coming along nicely as well.
Posted by: RT | January 10, 2011 1:27 PM
Thumbs up. Doesn't look like a kid anymore. Gives him more character too, to go along with the leadership role and his joe cool persona.
Posted by: Dave | January 10, 2011 1:46 PM
Some guys in KVV's live chat dubbed him, "evil Flacco" - you have to admit, he looks like a bearded dobbelganger in those two pictures you dug up for this post. 'course the unbearded pic isn't exactly flattering (trying to sway opinion, are we?)
To tell you the truth I haven't heard anybody say anything negative about it, but then again my friends know I'll tear them a new one if they dare deface Flacco in my presence.
Anywho, I'm in favor of it. It gives Joe a little bit of an edge. And perhaps a bit of a chin itch will keep him from overthinking his plays :)
Posted by: E.C. | January 10, 2011 1:46 PM
The nice thing is after week one of the playoffs, we want to discuss Flacco's beard (probably helps keep the face a little warmer in these cold weather games ( I know that besides my feet, the face is the toughest to keep warm. As far as style is concerned, and I do not think Joe is concerned about style, lose the beard post the playoffs ( I went to school in Chicago and learned quickly to start growing a beard in October and to shave it in April. That is the only city I have ever been cold in).
Posted by: upper deck bird brain | January 10, 2011 1:48 PM
The beard is fine, but his most recent haircut makes me think he needs to buy a new Flowbee.
Posted by: theminx | January 10, 2011 1:56 PM
I have my beard to.. Flacco beard is good luck and he will win it saturday.
Posted by: Purple Loko | January 10, 2011 2:02 PM
Thumbs up! I am one of those fans growing a beard for the playoffs along with Joe. I am normally not the beard type but I think it's a fun idea. If the Ravens make the Super Bowl I will be at work the Friday before the big game proudly sporting a purple beard for the weekend. Go Ravens!!
Posted by: Garry Judy | January 10, 2011 2:22 PM
The beard is awesome. Flacco needs to project some character somehow and the beard helps.
Plus chicks dig beards!
Posted by: the Shafe | January 10, 2011 2:40 PM
Hit. Think it makes him look a bit more authoritative. I'm growing mine now in honor of Flacco's outstanding performance in the wild card round.
Posted by: Sean | January 10, 2011 2:48 PM
Good lord, could you guys have picked a worse picture than the one without a beard?!
Posted by: jason | January 10, 2011 3:02 PM
I have a beard. Thus, thumbs up.
Posted by: Alex | January 10, 2011 3:31 PM
wow, did you guys dig up the goofiest pic of Joe.
Posted by: dyun | January 10, 2011 3:49 PM
Joe's beard is fantastic. Almost as good as his running with the ball. After a season of doubt, Joe is doing just fine. Go Ravens!
Posted by: Rich M. | January 10, 2011 4:03 PM
The beard was the reason for his great performance yesterday.
How well has he done in previous playoff games, when did he not have a beard?
FEAR THE BEARD!
Posted by: Ray Venn | January 10, 2011 4:16 PM
Thumbs Up!!
Posted by: josh | January 10, 2011 4:35 PM
You call yourself a professional journalist? You don't have anything more substantive to write about than this superficial puff piece?
Posted by: mortstiff | January 10, 2011 5:24 PM
Seems to me he is trying to copy Ben Rothlessburger.
He only wished.
Posted by: ed | January 10, 2011 6:15 PM
Brett Keisel's beard will tackle Flacco and his pathetic excuse for a beard on its own and steal his lunch money.
Posted by: Eric Bressler | January 10, 2011 6:57 PM
I think it should stay. Adds more depth to him I suppose. I got lazy around the Bengals game week and didn't shave..lol. I am considering keeping the Flacco playoff beard. Go Ravens!
Posted by: doug | January 10, 2011 7:21 PM
Thumbs up big time..keep rockin the beard Joe....its a good look for the AFC North
Posted by: jnick | January 10, 2011 7:26 PM
With Joe's unibrow and his beard, he should bring his beard around to meet his eyebrows. Then maybe he can look less like Bert from Sesame Street and more like an Ewok from the Return of the Jedi.
Posted by: Mike Herbert | January 10, 2011 8:09 PM
If he goes out and "Dan Fouts" Pittsburgh...he can grow it to ZZTop length.
Posted by: R. Scott Grimes | January 10, 2011 10:45 PM
Hit! Major thumbs up! I'm not shaving til Flacco shaves...it's Manuary anyway...
Posted by: Alex | January 11, 2011 9:09 AM
The beard is the reason he performed so well against the Chiefs.
FEAR THE BEARD.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 11, 2011 10:57 AM
I think the beard makes him look a little more rugged and less like a dork. I think he looks better with the unshaven look rather than the full beard though. Now he needs to grow his hair out a bit and keep those eye brows trimmed.
Posted by: david1117 | January 11, 2011 11:19 AM
The beard is fine....what I think is disturbing is the photo you chose to represent Flacco without the beard...If it wasn't for the number on the jersey I would say thats not even Flacco....
Posted by: Ronnie D | January 11, 2011 2:04 PM
I give it a thumbs up with the beard. I am just like him, too lazy to shave on a regular basis. I think he should shave it off the day after the Super Bowl victory.
Posted by: Phil Bauer | January 12, 2011 10:58 AM
I don't care as long as Joe stays Joe.
Posted by: Ravens19 | January 12, 2011 3:05 PM
THUMBS UP!!
Posted by: Lee | January 12, 2011 9:59 PM
Am I missing something....like seeing a link to the comments?
Posted by: R. Scott Grimes | January 13, 2011 5:25 AM
I dont think you could have found a worse picture for Joe without a beard... thats horrible!!!
Posted by: dan | January 14, 2011 9:22 PM