A #1 Fan in Summersville, WV: Resident Barbara Richards and Her Love for the Baltimore Ravens

As football season kicks off, we’re excited to share a heartwarming story from Summersville Healthcare Center. Barbara Richards, 92, is a long-term care resident in Summersville, WV, and one of the biggest Baltimore Ravens fans you’ll meet. Since arriving at the facility in June 2025, Barbara’s love for her team has shone brightly. Whether it’s game day or the off-season, she’s always ready to talk football. She never misses a game on TV, wears her Ravens gear with pride, and shares her excitement with anyone willing to listen.

Inspired by Barbara’s team spirit, Summersville Healthcare Center’s Physical Therapy Assistant, Cameron, had the idea to capture her love for the Ravens on video. With help from the center’s Admissions Director, Kristen Grose, Barbara was filmed proudly wearing her “I Love the Baltimore Ravens” shirt while answering questions about her lifelong fandom. When asked how long she’d been watching the Ravens, Barbara shared, “I’ve been watching them since they’ve been playing. Even when they were the Colts, I watched them.” When asked what her favorite thing about watching football is, she grinned and said, “I love the Ravens, and I want them to win!”

The video was sent to the Baltimore Ravens organization, and they responded in the best way. Barbara received a special shoutout from wide receiver, Tylan Wallace, along with a fan pack filled with Ravens goodies, including a team book, a lanyard, and a t-shirt. In his message, Tylan thanked her for being a “devoted member of Ravens Flock,” and added, “we appreciate you for being a fan this long, and we hope to make you proud this season.” Since then, she’s been proudly sporting her lanyard, flipping through her new Ravens book, and sharing the story with her Summersville Healthcare Center community.

When asked why the Summersville team goes the extra mile for residents like Barbara, Kristen emphasized the difference it makes to get to know each resident and thoughtfully weave those details into daily care. “Knowing we’ve created a moment of happiness or comfort makes everything we do worthwhile,” she said. “These experiences inspire our entire team to keep discovering meaningful ways to enrich the lives of those we care for.”

We love celebrating the passions that make our residents shine. Barbara’s story is an example of the connections built in our caring communities, bringing together residents, team members, and the wider, local community. This season, you can count on Barbara to be cheering on the Ravens with the Summersville team right by her side!