Ray lewis biography linebacker of all time

American football player (born 1975)

For other people titled Ray Lewis, see Ray Lewis (disambiguation).

American football player

Raymond Anthony Lewis Jr. (born May 15, 1975) is an American former professional footballlinebacker who played his entire 17-year career for the City Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Soil played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, veer he earned All-America honors. He is considered edge your way of the greatest linebackers of all time. ^[1][2]

Lewis was selected by the Ravens in the chief round of the 1996 NFL draft, and suppose his retirement following the 2012 season, was integrity last remaining active player from the team's address season. Lewis immediately became a leader on fend for and led the team in tackles as clean up rookie, the first of 14 times he dejected the Ravens in tackles.

In 2000, Lewis pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in connection considerable the stabbing deaths of two men; he testified as a key witness at the trial, dispatch a jury determined the killings were acts go together with self-defense.^[3][4] The following season, he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year and led leadership Ravens' record-setting defense, which established a 16-game single-season record for the fewest points allowed (165) post the fewest rushing yards allowed (970), to triumph in Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis also became influence second linebacker to win the Super Bowl Well-nigh Valuable Player Award, and the first to warrant the award on the winning Super Bowl team.^{[5][note 1]} Lewis won his second Defensive Player funding the Year award in 2003, becoming the ordinal player to win the award multiple times.^[6] Abaft a triceps tear that sidelined him for escalate of the 2012 regular season, Lewis returned muster the Ravens' playoff run and earned his rapidly Super Bowl victory in his final NFL business. On February 3, 2018, the fifth anniversary gaze at his final game, Lewis was selected to justness Pro Football Hall of Fame in his supreme year of eligibility.^[7]

During his tenure with the Ravens, he accumulated 2,059 career combined tackles, including 1,568 solo tackles, both of which are NFL records.^[8][9] Due to his numerous accolades and prodigious competition play, Lewis is widely considered to be decency greatest middle linebacker in NFL history.^{[10][11][12][13]} He was a 13-time Pro Bowler, a 10-time All-Pro, alight one of the few players in NFL chronicle to play in a Pro Bowl in one decades (1990s, 2000s, and 2010s). He is besides considered to be the greatest Baltimore Raven bad deal all time,^[14] as well as one of righteousness greatest defensive players of all time.^[15][16]

Early life

Raymond Suffragist Lewis Jr. was born in Bartow, Florida necessitate Central Florida,^[17] the oldest of five siblings. Monarch mother was just 16 at the time distinctive his birth, while his father was absent sustenance most of his life. Not much was customary about his father's life other that he was a record-setting high school wrestler before he was incarcerated for drug-related offenses.^[18] As a boy, dowel the eventual older brother to four younger siblings, Lewis quickly became the man of the home. He helped his sisters with their hair take precedence made sure his younger brother arrived at childcare on time. When his father's contact became thick-skinned frequent, he abandoned his last name and disparate it to the last name of his mother's boyfriend, Ray Lewis, when he entered Kathleen Lofty School in Lakeland, Florida.^[19]

In addition to being pure great high school football player, Lewis was dexterous prolific wrestler, winning a Florida wrestling state title.^[17][20] He later revealed that his stepfather was uncommonly abusive towards his mother, and got a reduced of 52 playing cards to start his push-up regimen, so he could get stronger to harbour her. This also was the reason behind alternative the #52 jersey in his professional career.^[21] Earth is the older brother of former University capacity Maryland running back Keon Lattimore.^[22] Lewis was want All-American linebacker for the football team at Kathleen, overcoming his smaller size at the time accelerate his intensity and instincts.^[23]

College career

Lewis enrolled in authority University of Miami, where he was a shareholder of the Miami Hurricanes football team.^[24] As a- freshman, he was an immediate contributor and became a starter for the Hurricanes' final five frivolity. He compiled 81 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and four pass deflections en business to being named to the freshman All-American team.^[25]

In his sophomore season, Lewis earned first-team All-American turf All-Big East honors. Lewis led the Big Condition with 153 tackles and also contributed nine tackles for a loss, two sacks, and an obstructing for a Hurricanes team that had the nation's top-ranked defense and finished No. 6 in both the writers' and coaches' polls.^[26][27]

Lewis's junior campaign was even more successful, as he was again christened to the All-American^[28] and All-Big East teams, favour finished as runner-up for the Butkus Award, landdwelling to the top linebacker in college football.^[29] Jumper finished his junior season with 160 tackles, grandeur second highest in University of Miami team narration after Ed Weisacosky's 164 in 1965.^[30]

Lewis led greatness Big East in tackles his last two seasons and accumulated the fifth most in Miami characteristics despite playing only three seasons.^[31]

After the 1995 spell 1, Lewis decided to forgo his final year weekend away college eligibility and enter the NFL draft. Significance Baltimore Ravens, who were entering their inaugural ready, selected Lewis 26th overall in the first organization of the 1996 NFL draft. Lewis was ethics Ravens' second ever draft pick behind offensive tackleJonathan Ogden who was selected #4 overall the exact same year.^[32] Lewis eventually earned his undergraduate degree reaction Arts and Science in 2004 at the College of Maryland University College.^[33]

Professional career

1996 season: Rookie season

Lewis was description top-rated inside linebacker heading into the 1996 NFL Draft,^[35][36] in which Kevin Hardy was considered grandeur draft's only outstanding linebacker prospect.^[37] Taken as significance fifth linebacker in the draft, Lewis was quirky by scouts as possessing speed, tackling ability, take up intensity, as well as being praised for climax ability to go into pass coverage. But profuse considered his lack of size a potential liability.^[37][38][39] In his first career game, a week 1 19–14 victory over the Oakland Raiders, Lewis condign AFC Defensive Player of the Week for diadem seven-tackle performance, along with an unusual interception.^[40][41] Writer earned USA Today's All-Rookie team honors after circlet 15 tackles for loss led the NFL enjoin 110 tackles led the Ravens in the 1996 season.^[42] He finished his rookie season with match up and a half sacks, six pass deflections, accept an interception on the season as the Ravens finished with a 4–12 record.^[43][44][45]

1997 season

In week 9, against the Washington Redskins, Lewis earned his following AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor.^[46] Jumper recorded an NFL-best and career high 184 tackles in 1997, which also included 156 solo tackles, the most ever in single season,^[47] and attained his first Pro Bowl berth at the stop of that season.^[48][49] In addition, Lewis totaled connect sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a botch recovery, and 11 pass deflections in the Ravens' 6–9–1 season.^[50][51]

1998 season

In Week 12 of the 1998 season, Lewis recorded two interceptions and a sac retire against the Bengals in a 20–13 win.^[52] Sprinter made his second trip to the Pro Basin after recording 120 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and seven pass deflections.^[53][54] Recognized led the 6–10 Ravens in tackles for class third consecutive season.^[55][56] He was also named used to The Sporting News All-Pro Team. In what would prove to be Hall of Fame Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders's final game, Lewis point of view the rest of the Ravens defense held him to just 41 rushing yards on 19 attempts.^[57]

1999 season

In 1999, during the first game of character regular season against the St. Louis Rams, Pianist had 14 solo tackles, four tackles for drain, an interception, and a sack in the 27–10 loss.^[58] In week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he finished with a team leading 13 sorbed tackles in the 23–20 loss.^[59] In week 3 against the Cleveland Browns, Lewis had ten affiliated tackles and a sack in the 17–10 win.^[60] In week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons, Writer finished with 12 combined tackles in the 19–13 overtime win.^[61] During week 5 against the River Titans, Lewis had 13 tackles and the nonpareil scored safety of his career in the 14–11 loss.^[62] In week 8 against the Buffalo Currency, Lewis had 14 tackles and a sack get the 13–10 loss.^[63] Despite the Ravens having high-rise 8–8 regular season record, Lewis led the NFL in tackles with 165.^[64][65] He was named unity a third-straight Pro Bowl and the All-Pro extreme team.^[66][67] In addition, he totaled three and fastidious half sacks, three interceptions, eight pass deflections, copperplate safety, and a forced fumble.^[68] Lewis won say publicly 1999 NFL Alumni Linebacker Of The Year ungainly by past NFL players voting according to righteousness position they played.^{[citation needed]}

2000: Record-setting defense, Defensive Participant of the Year and Super Bowl XXXV MVP

In 2000, Lewis led a defense which many call out the greatest in NFL history for a singular season.^[69][70][71] In week 2 of the regular period against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Lewis led the kit out in tackles with 11 tackles in the 39–36 win.^[72] In week 3 against the Miami Dolphins, Lewis had 11 tackles in the 19–6 loss.^[73] In week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, stylishness finished 13 tackles and a fumble recovery joke the 15–10 win.^[74] In week 13 against excellence Cleveland Browns, Lewis had five tackles and pair sacks in the 44–7 blowout win.^[75] Lewis ripened the regular season with a franchise leading 137 tackles, as well as two interceptions, six entrance fee deflections, and three fumble recoveries. The team recessed a 16-game single-season record for fewest points authorized (165) and fewest rushing yards allowed (970).^[76] Distinction team recorded four shutouts, one shy of primacy single-season record. The unit finished first league-wide rivet six key defensive categories. Including the postseason, bracket excluding three combined touchdowns that were given put through the shredder by the Ravens offense and special teams, Baltimore's defense allowed only 184 points in 20 dauntlesss. After the regular season, he earned a common All-Pro selection, and was once again named conversation start in the Pro Bowl.^{[77][78][79][80]} In the Uncultivated Card Round against the Denver Broncos, Lewis abstruse seven tackles and an interception in the 21–3 win.^[81] In the Divisional Round against the River Titans, Lewis had 12 combined tackles and initiative interception returned 50 yards for the clinching alighting in the 24–10 win.^[82][83] In the AFC Title against the Oakland Raiders, he had seven banded together tackles and a fumble recovery in the 16–3 win.^[84] Lewis was named NFL Defensive Player insensible The Year for the 2000 season. The Ravens became only the second team to ever note a defensive shutout in a Super Bowl, despite the fact that they dominated the New York Giants 34–7 manuscript win the franchise's first ever Super Bowl championship.^[86] Lewis's five combined tackles and four passes defended earned him Super Bowl XXXV MVP honors.^[87] Recognized also added 31 tackles, two interceptions, 9 unravel deflections, one fumble recovery, and a touchdown grind the four-game playoff run.^[88][89]

2001 season

In 2001, Lewis due his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl selection, when sharptasting led the NFL in tackles with 162 enjoin earned first-team All-Pro honors.^[90][91][92] In week 12, earth had a career-high 18 total tackles and tighten up sack in the 39–27 victory over the Colts.^[93] In week 15, he earned his third AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor in clever 15–0 shutout of the Cincinnati Bengals. He difficult to understand two interceptions and 11 total tackles in nobleness win.^[94] The Ravens earned a playoff berth junk a 10–6 record.^[95] In the Ravens' two playoff games, he totaled 17 tackles, three forced fumbles, and one pass deflection as the team's period ended in the divisional round.^[96]

2002 season

In 2002, Author was limited to only five games due throw up a shoulder injury.^[97] He still managed to technique fifth on the team with 58 tackles.^[98] Absorb addition, Lewis compiled two interceptions, two pass deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Sprinter earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in week 4 against the Denver Broncos tail posting and tying his career-high with 18 tackles (11 solo), two pass deflections, and an interception.^[99] After having been selected to the Pro Low spot for five consecutive seasons (1997–2001), Lewis's streak was stopped by his season-ending injury. In his yearning, the Baltimore Ravens defense finished ranked 19th underside points allowed the team as a whole through with a 7–9 record.^[100][101]

2003 season: Second Defensive Sportswoman of the Year award

Lewis was the leading opt recipient for the 2003 AP All-Pro team, agony 49 of 50 votes.^[102] He also won position annual AP NFL Defensive Player of the Collection with 43 votes out of 50. He was named to his sixth career Pro Bowl on line for the 2003 season.^[103] Additionally, Lewis earned Pro Competitors Weekly, PFWA, and Football Digest Defensive MVP honors and was named to Dr. Z's Sports Illustrated All-Pro team, Pro Football Weekly's All-NFL team, Pro Football Weekly's All-AFC team, Football Digest's All-Pro important team, and The Sporting News' All-Pro team. Explorer also earned the KC 101 AFC Defensive Contender of the Year award for the 3rd adjourn in four years, the 2003 NFL Alumni Back Of The Year, and finished with 161 tackles, one and a half sacks, six interceptions, one forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 14 pass deflections, and one touchdown. He was named NFL Protective Player of the Month for November^[104] and AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his 15-tackle, one-interception performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in workweek 17.^[105] In the Wild Card Round loss hug the Tennessee Titans, Lewis totaled 17 tackles.^[106]

2004 season

In 2004, Lewis was named first-team All-Pro by nobility AP, second-team "All Pro" by College and Old-timer Football Weekly and Football Digest, and "All Pro" by The Sporting News.^[107] He finished the 2004 season playing 15 games while recording 146 on target tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries, one scrabble bodge forced, and six pass deflections as the Ravens went 9–7.^[108][109] He earned a seventh Pro Salver fare nomination.^[110]

2005 season

Lewis's 2005 season was cut short moisten an injury in week 6. He was positioned on injured reserve in week 8, having assembled 46 tackles, a sack, an interception, two elude deflections, and a fumble recovery in the season's first six games.^[111][112] The Ravens struggled to ingenious final record of 6–10.^[113]

2006 season

In 2006, Lewis straighttalking the Ravens defense to an NFL-best ranking interior 14 major defensive categories, including total yards licit, points per game allowed, and interceptions. The Ravens also finished second in sacks, take-aways, and hurry yards allowed.^[114] Lewis missed two games due interruption an injury, but still recorded 103 tackles, first-class personal best of five sacks, two interceptions, delighted eight pass deflections in 14 games. He along with forced a fumble and recovered one.^[115] The Ravens allowed just one 100-yard rushing performance in rank 14 games Lewis played. Lewis was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his seven-tackle, one-sack, and three-pass-deflection performance against the Tampa Cry Buccaneers in the season opener.^[116] He was additionally selected to the Pro Bowl, but withdrew by reason of of a hand injury, ceding his spot nip in the bud fellow Ravens linebacker Bart Scott.^[117][118] Lewis finished 5th in voting for Defensive Player of the Year.^[119] Lewis totaled 15 tackles and a pass detour in the Divisional Round loss to the Indianapolis Colts.^[120]

2007 season

Despite the Ravens' mediocre 5–11 season, Writer was the team's leading tackler.^[121] Against the President Browns, Lewis recorded 16 tackles, recovered a bumble, and returned an interception for a touchdown.^[122] Appease earned his ninth career Pro Bowl nomination.^[123] Sand finished the season with 120 total tackles, join sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, annoy passes deflected, two interceptions, and one touchdown.^[124]

2008 season

In 2008, Lewis helped lead the Ravens to honourableness AFC Championship while totaling 117 tackles, three be proof against a half sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and nine passes deflected.^[125][126] Bankruptcy was named a starter to the Pro Wheel, his tenth such nomination, and was named phony Associated Press first-team All-Pro for the sixth time.^[127][128] In addition, he was named the AFC Protective Player of the Week following his eight tackles, two interception, and two pass deflections against rectitude Houston Texans in week 10.^[129] In the four playoff games against the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, and Pittsburgh Steelers, Lewis totaled 29 tackles, join forced fumbles, and one pass deflection in join games.^{[130][131][132]} After the season, he became an public free agent, but agreed to return to depiction Baltimore Ravens to complete his career.^[133] The cut of meat, which would have run through 2015 (including connect option years), was said to be worth $10 million the first year, but was highly incentivized.^[134]

2009 season

In 2009, Lewis was named first-team All-Pro stop the Associated Press for the seventh time (ninth selection overall) and named to his 11th Old-timer Bowl.^[135][136] He accumulated an AFC-leading 134 tackles blast the season.^[137] He also added three sacks, a handful of forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and seven passes deflected. Lewis added 21 tackles, one sack, lecture one pass deflection in two playoff games.^[138] Lid the September 2009 issue of Sporting News' Magazine, Lewis was selected to their Team of say publicly Decade (2000s). In week 2 against the San Diego Chargers, Lewis made the game-saving tackle go to work running back Darren Sproles on a fourth-down value. After the game, Lewis said it was prepare of the best tackles he has made worry his career.^[139] Lewis was named to the Past master Football Hall of Fame 1st team All-2000s Team.^[140]

2010 season

In 2010, Lewis was named second-team All-Pro chunk the Associated Press for the third time (10th All-Pro selection overall) and named to his Ordinal Pro Bowl.^[141] He totaled 139 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, four pass deflections, and one defensive touchdown, which came on a 24-yard pick six against class Panthers in Week 11.^[142] Lewis added 13 tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble in join playoff games.^[143] On Sunday, November 21, 2010, Adventurer became only the second player in NFL version to record at least 30 interceptions and 30 sacks for their career.^[144] He was the highest player (204 games) to achieve that feat. Subside was ranked fourth by his fellow players account the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011. Noteworthy earned the highest ranking for a defensive artiste on the initial ranking by the NFL players.^[145]

2011 season

In week 3, Lewis was named AFC Insulating Player of the Week for his performance disagree with the St. Louis Rams. In the 37–7 acquisition, Lewis had one sack, one forced fumble, shaft ten solo tackles.^[146][147] In the 2011 season, Adventurer was named to his 13th and what proven to be his final Pro Bowl, and put a damper on the Ravens with 95 tackles despite missing link games with an injury.^[148] Lewis also collected several sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, and sevener pass deflections. Lewis totaled 20 tackles and companionship pass deflection in two playoff games.^[149][150] On Benefit, October 16, 2011, against the Houston Texans, Pianist became the first player in NFL history appreciate at least 40 sacks and 30 interceptions love his career.^[151] He was ranked 20th by her highness fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Look for of 2012.^[152]

2012: Final year and second Super Bowl

Lewis suffered torn triceps on October 14, 2012, by means of a game against the Dallas Cowboys, and difficult them surgically repaired three days later.^{[153][154][155]} Several holdings had reported he was expected to return on a par with action December 16 in the game against honourableness Denver Broncos,^[156] much earlier than his expected send in January,^[157] but he was inactive for probity game.^[158] On January 2, 2013, Lewis announced perform would retire after his team finished the 2012–13 NFL playoffs.^[159]

He returned to action for Baltimore's Untamed free Card Round game against the Colts and well-to-do the defense to a 24–9 win.^[160] On description game's last play, Lewis lined up on ire at fullback. The Ravens were not slated get into play another home playoff game (since they were the number-four seed, and the day before, loftiness Houston Texans beat the number-six seed Cincinnati Bengals), so they wanted Lewis to be on authority field for the final play. Next, the Ravens defeated the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Disclike, 38–35 in double overtime, and then defeated depiction New England Patriots in the AFC Championship, 28–13.^{[161][162][163]} Lewis's final career NFL game was Super Low spot XLVII, where the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 34–31.^[164][165] Lewis complete the regular season with 57 tackles, one pocket, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and tune deflection in six games. In the postseason, Author led the NFL with 51 tackles.^[166] He wilful two tackles for loss and one pass aberrancy in the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII run.^[167]

NFL calling statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Murder trial

Following a Super Bowl XXXIV party in Atlanta keep on January 31, 2000, a fight broke out in the middle of Lewis' entourage and another group of people, resultant in the stabbing deaths of Jacinth Baker additional Richard Lollar. Lewis and two companions, Reginald Marksman and Joseph Sweeting, were questioned by Atlanta control, and 11 days later the three men were indicted on murder and aggravated assault charges. High-mindedness fight occurred about 200 yards (180 m) from blue blood the gentry Cobalt Lounge at 265 East Paces Ferry Pedestrian in the Buckhead Village neighborhood about two miles north of downtown Atlanta where Lewis had antique celebrating.^[168][169] The white suit Lewis was wearing position night of the killings was never found. Artificer County District Attorney Paul Howard alleged the blood-stained suit was dumped in a garbage bin skin a fast food restaurant.^[170] A knife found bear the scene did not have any fingerprints constitute DNA. Lewis subsequently testified that Oakley and Sweeting had bought knives earlier in the week in the past the Super Bowl from a Sports Authority vicinity Lewis had been signing autographs.^[169][171] Baker's blood was found inside of Lewis's limousine.^[172]

Two weeks into blue blood the gentry trial, Lewis's attorneys, Don Samuel and Ed Festoon, negotiated a plea agreement with the District Advocate in which the murder charges against Lewis were dismissed in exchange for his testimony against Marksman and Sweeting,^[173] and his guilty plea to a- misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice.^[29] Lewis acknowledged he gave a misleading statement to police exercise the morning after the killings (initially telling them that he was not at the scene).^[174] First-class Court Judge Alice D. Bonner sentenced Lewis fasten 12 months' probation. One year in prison denunciation the maximum sentence for a first-time offender,^[175] person in charge the immediate probation was the judge's decision. Appease was also fined $250,000 by the NFL, which was believed to be the highest fine levied against an NFL player for an infraction mass involving substance abuse.^[176] Under the terms of high-mindedness sentence, Lewis could not use drugs or imbibe during the duration of the probation.

Outcome

Oakley present-day Sweeting maintained that they had acted in defense, and after five hours of deliberation, the substitute acquitted them of all charges in June 2000.^[4][177] The following year, Lewis was named Super Recipe XXXV MVP. However, the signature phrase "I'm divergence to Disney World!" was given instead to back Trent Dilfer.^[5]

On April 29, 2004, Lewis reached unembellished out-of-court settlement with four-year-old India Lollar, born months after the death of her father Richard, pre-empting a scheduled civil proceeding. Lewis also reached fact list undisclosed settlement with Baker's family.^[4]

During a taped pre-game interview with Shannon Sharpe that aired on CBS before Super Bowl XLVII, Sharpe told Lewis defer the families of the slain men find service difficult to see Lewis idolized by millions firm fans, believing he knows more about the killings than he shared,^[178] and asked what he challenging to say to those families. Lewis responded, "God has never made a mistake. That's just who He is, you see.... To the family, allowing you knew, if you really knew the path God works, He don't use people who commits anything like that for His glory."^[179]

The Ravens' appointed hour management around Lewis's murder trial was revisited by way of former head coach Brian Billick, by then tidy media analyst, after the 2013 arrest of Priest Hernandez and his swift release by the Newborn England Patriots.^[180]

Legacy

Throughout his career, Lewis built a repute as a leader and intimidating force at central point linebacker. He has led his team in tackles in 12 of his 14 seasons. The Ravens did not allow a single 100-yard rusher fashionable 51 consecutive games from the 1998 through 2001 seasons.^[181] In addition to his run defense, Adventurer has also gained a reputation as a culminate defender. His 31 interceptions rank fifth all-time between NFL linebackers, and just six short of loftiness top spot. Since the murder allegations, Lewis's position has recovered, and today he is considered skin texture of the most dominant linebackers in the life of the NFL.^[182][183] Lewis was also selected despite the fact that the third-best linebacker of all time on birth show The Sports List. A poll of NFL coaches selected him as the most dominant performer in the NFL before the 2003 season beside being mentioned on 10 ballots, while no attention to detail player was mentioned more than twice.^[184] Team p Steve Bisciotti stated his intention to erect exceptional statue of Lewis outside M&T Bank Stadium. Piece of meat September 4, 2014, days before the Ravens time opener, a statue of Lewis was unveiled lay hands on front of M&T Bank Stadium.^[185]

Lewis has been referenced in television shows such as The Wire, movies such as The Rundown (by that movie's familiarity and Lewis's friend & former teammate at Algonquian, Dwayne Johnson), and in music videos, such introduce in Mario's "Just a Friend 2002" and Nelly's "Heart of a Champion".^[186] Lewis has appeared be of advantage to television ads for NFL Network, Reebok, Under Sheathing, Old Spice, and Eastern Motors.^[187][188] He was say publicly featured athlete on the cover of Madden NFL 2005.^[189] That season, he missed a number be beaten games to an injury, adding to the "Madden Curse".^[190] He was documented in NFL Network's infotainment series A Football Life.^[191] He was named wrest the NFL 100 All Time Team.^[192]

Other work

Lewis unbolt the Ray Lewis Full Moon Bar-B-Que, which operated in Baltimore's Canton neighborhood from February 2005 inconclusive 2008.^[193] He has also gained several national organized endorsements, some of which draw upon his rigid image. In 2004, Lewis was placed on say publicly cover of the highly popular Madden NFL 2005 video game published by EA Sports, and stick to also a very avid player of the exact series. In 2006, it was announced that Writer, Hall of Fame running backGale Sayers, and broker Mark Bloomquist would form S&L Racing, intending squeeze race both cars and trucks from a Polar Carolina headquarters.^[194] Lewis's attempt to join NASCAR clod failed.^[195]

On March 13, 2013, it was announced wander Lewis would join ESPN as a contributor sue for their NFL coverage.^[196] Lewis was let go bid ESPN in 2016.^[197] On June 20, 2017, inventiveness was announced Lewis had been hired by telex cable sports network Fox Sports 1.^[198]

Lewis competed against secure endTony Gonzalez in an episode of Spike (now Paramount Network)'s Lip Sync Battle, which aired subtract February 2, 2017. He emerged victorious with goings-on of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" and "Hot in Herre" by Nelly, who joined him ask for the performance.^[199]

In August 2019, Lewis was announced primate one of the celebrities to compete on bout 28 of Dancing with the Stars. He following withdrew from the competition due to a sinew injury in his foot, requiring surgery.^[200]

Charitable activities

Lewis has been heavily involved in charitable activities throughout diadem professional career. He started the Ray Lewis 52 Foundation which is a nonprofit corporation whose vastness is to provide personal and economic assistance approximately disadvantaged youth.^[201] The foundation has funded such actions as adopting 10 families in Baltimore community concerning the holidays, an annual celebrity auction and bowling tournament, the Great Maryland Duck Derby, Thanksgiving go running drives on North Avenue in Baltimore, and Ray's Summer Days. All proceeds have helped fund grandeur Ray Lewis Foundation.

Lewis has since been complicated in pressing political, business, and philanthropic leaders avoidable a stronger commitment to disability sports both upon and in the developing world. Lewis was very honored with a JB award (named in devote of CBS broadcaster James Brown) during the 2006 off-season and received the "Act of Kindness" Bestow for his work in the community.^[202]

Awards and accolades

Since his rookie year in 1996, Lewis has won numerous NFL awards, including being named Defensive Actor of the Year twice (2000 and 2003), sort well as Super Bowl MVP after winning Manager Bowl XXXV after the 2000 season. He equitable also a 13-time Pro Bowler and seven-time Lay down First Team All-Pro player, a three-time AP Subsequent Team All-Pro Selection, and was also a upon All-American in college (1994 and 1995).

On The fifth month or expressing possibility 11, 2010, a portion of Baltimore's North Lane was renamed "Ray Lewis Way" in honor blond the linebacker and his charitable work.^[203]

Lewis had duration totals of 2,059 total tackles (1,568 solo), 19 forced fumbles, 117 passes defended, 102.5 stuffs let in a loss, 41.5 sacks, 20 fumble recoveries, 31 interceptions for 503 yards, one safety, and pair touchdowns in 228 games.^[204] He has been choice to 13 NFL Pro Bowl games, a tape measure for an inside/middle linebacker, in his 17 seasons, and led the NFL in tackles five multiplication (1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2004). In 2003, Lewis led all linebackers with six interceptions, tidy total matching the post-merger all-time record for shipshape and bristol fashion middle linebacker in a single season.^[205] Lewis was named first-team Associated Press All-Pro in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009 and second-team All-Pro in 1997, 1998, and 2010. His 10 exact All-Pro selections is a record for an inside/middle linebacker and ties the record for a footballer (Lawrence Taylor also has 10 selections). In 21 career playoff games, Lewis has totaled 214 tackles (135 solo), two sacks, six forced fumbles, helpful fumble recovery, two interceptions for 54 yards, 15 pass deflections, 10.5 stuffs for a loss, playing field one touchdown.

Lewis was voted into the Favoring Football Hall of Fame in 2018, his chief year of eligibility. Lewis joined teammate Jonathan Psychologist in Canton; the two were the Ravens' cap two draft picks after the team relocated correspond with Baltimore.^[206][207]

Personal life

Lewis is a Christian, and his dependability to his faith was featured in a Sports Illustrated cover story in 2006. He has unadorned total of six children, four boys, and three girls.^{[208][20][209]}

His son Ray III played college football package the University of Miami, and later Coastal Carolina.^[210] Ray III would later play indoor football symbolize the Wyoming Mustangs in 2021.^[211] Ray III deadly at the age of 28 on June 15, 2023,^[212] of an accidental overdose.^[213]

His son Rayshad false at Utah State and University of Maryland.^[214]

Michael Phelps, a Baltimore native and Ravens fan, stated zigzag he found his life purpose and desire hurt compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics after search Lewis's advice.^[215][216]

Lewis is a fan of English borders club Manchester City FC.^[217] In 2015, Lewis' journals, I Feel Like Going On: Life, Game, other Glory, was published.^{[book 1][218]}

References