On the same night actress Kerry Washington honored the late Michael K. Williams while presenting during the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, the Baltimore Ravens honored him ahead of their "Sunday Night Football" matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Prior to Williams' death on Sept. 6, the 54-year-old actor was nominated for an Emmy in the category of supporting actor in a drama for his role as Montrose Freeman in HBO's "Lovecraft Country." But the Ravens' tribute was tied to a certain iconic Baltimore-centric role he played on the critically acclaimed show "The Wire": Omar Little.
For Omar 🎶 pic.twitter.com/NT6TugVaEf
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 20, 2021
Little -- a Robin Hood of sorts -- was a stick-up artist in the streets of Baltimore who was feared throughout the city and made a living by robbing drug dealers. The beloved character would whistle a specific tune before ambushing his victims.
"Heard the sound of Omar whistling 'Farmer In The Dell' from the stadium while walking across the Ostend Street bridge to the Ravens opener and thought I'd lost my s---. It's the little things that are gonna get me, I guess. But Michael gonna last," wrote David Simon, the creator of "The Wire," on Twitter.
During Washington's tribute at the Emmys, she called Williams a "brilliantly talented actor and a generous human being who has left us far too soon." Adding, "I know you're here because you wouldn't miss this. Your excellence, your artistry will endure. We love you."
If the prospect of Lamar Jackson earning his first victory against Patrick Mahomes wasn't enough to get Ravens fans hyped for kickoff, hearing the tune of Omar's whistle ring throughout M&T Bank Stadium probably did the trick.
