The ice and rain Monday morning didn't stop the Baltimore faithful from crowding the Inner Harbor to rally around the Ravens as they departed for New Orleans and Super Bowl XLVII.

Lucky kids who got off school sat on shoulders, 20-somethings belted Ravens chants and several of the football players themselves were seen snapping photos and video of the send-off.

Future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis gave credit to the fans, without whom the franchise would not exist.

"Baltimore, Baltimore—there is no Ravens without you guys," said Lewis, who announced his retirement at the beginning of the postseason. "We did this in 2000, and we're not going to New Orleans for nothing else but to bring back another ring to Baltimore."

Gov. Martin O'Malley joined Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake in congratulating the team for their underdog victories over the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. Everyone who spoke said they were perfectly fine heading into the big game as the underdog once again.

About an hour after the team boarded the buses and left downtown Baltimore, running back Ray Rice shared an excited status on his Facebook page:

"Headed out on this plane!!! LEGGGGOOOOO!!!!" —Ray Rice