As the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers prepare to go head to head in this Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVII, NOWNESS catches up with actor and avid fan Josh Charles to talk tradition and predictions for football’s biggest event of the year. Baltimore-born Charles, who made his name in The Dead Poets Society and co-stars in the acclaimed CBS series The Good Wife, has been cheering on his local team since even before it was the Ravens. “Growing up in the 70s and early 80s I was a diehard Colts fan, but they snuck out of town on a snowy March night in some Mayflower vans and took my heart with them,” says Charles. “It took 12 long years for the NFL to come back to Baltimore, but the Ravens have become our own and an organization the city can be extremely proud of.” On February 3, while America hunkers down in front of plasma TVs to snacks, beer, over-the-top ads and a half-time performance by Beyoncé, head coaching brothers John Harbaugh of the Ravens and Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers will pit their teams against each other in New Orleans. Charles will join hoards of fans in the Superdome rooting for heroes such as quarterback Joe Flacco, running back Ray Rice and linebackers Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis. As the actor tells us, he is no stranger to spending the footfall fiesta with his family. 

What’s your Super Bowl itinerary this year?
Josh Charles: I’m going to the game on Sunday with my old friend Jonny O. and my Dad. They are the same two people I went with the last time the Ravens were in the Super Bowl 13 years ago in Tampa. As soon as we won the AFC Championship game last week, I called both of them and told them to book their flights because we have to do it all together again to keep the mojo working. They agreed.

Do any other football traditions run in the family?
JC: When I was growing up my brother and I used to play football every Thanksgiving at my grandparent’s house with my dad and all of our uncles.   

Your great-uncle Hunky predicts a Ravens victory—are his predictions based on stats or intuition?
JC: He just turned 99, so I’d say his prediction is based on life experience and who am I to argue? The man is an inspiration and was one hell of a basketball player in his day.

What’s your most surreal Super Bowl memory?
JC: When the Ravens were in the Super Bowl last time I was so excited that I woke up around 5am the morning of the game and couldn’t fall back to sleep.  It was like Christmas. I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn’t actually playing in the game, but just watching it as a spectator.

Who in football history would you have loved to meet?
JC: I was lucky enough to have met one of my heroes—the late great Baltimore Colt Johnny Unitas. He’s the reason the number 19 is my lucky number.

If the Ravens win how will you celebrate?
JC: Drink and be merry until the sun comes up.

What will you do if they lose?
JC: Drink.