The End OF A Legend?

Ray Lewis tore his triceps this past weekend and now is out for the season and possibly his career is over. When I heard the news it made me sick to my stomach. I’m a huge 49ers fan but Ray Lewis will always be one of my favorite players of all-time. I felt the exact same sickness when Mariano Rivera tore his ACL in may. I hate seeing legends go down especially when the injury is severe enough to end their careers.

In 1996 the Baltimore Ravens selected Ray Lewis with the 26th pick first round . Lewis was the top rated inside linebacker heading into the 1996 NFL Draft, but Kevin Hardy was considered the draft’s only outstanding prospect at linebacker. The fourth linebacker selected in the draft, scouts saw Lewis’ strengths as his speed, tackling and intensity, but many considered his lack of size a potential liability. Kevin Hardy, John Mobley and Reggie Brown were all selected before him. I think we can look back and say he was by far the best linebacker in this draft. Being overlooked because his size gave him all the fuel he needed to prove every team in the league wrong. The rest is history!

Ray Lewis resume is one of the best in NFL history period! 13 Pro-bowls, 7x 1st team All Pro, 3x  2nd team All Pro, 3x AFC defensive player of the year, 2x NFL defensive player of the year, 2x NFL Linebacker of the year (voted by the Alumni). Now lets get to the record he has.

  • Record 13 Pro Bowls for an Inside/Middle Linebacker
  • Record 10 All-Pro selections for Inside/Middle Linebacker
  • Record 10 All-Pro selections for a Linebacker (tied with Lawrence Taylor)
  • Most Games Started at Inside/Middle Linebacker (227)
  • Most Interception Return Yards for an Inside/Middle Linebacker (503)
  • Most seasons played at Inside/Middle Linebacker (17)
  • NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team
  • 20 sack/20 interception Club- Quickest to reach (113 games)
  • 30 sack/30 Interception Club- Quickest to reach (204 games)
  • 40 sack/30 Interception Club- Only Member


But when you talk about Ray Lewis, no one cares about his stats. We care about his passion the way he plays and of course those lights out hits.

Let me not forget the greatest introduction dance EVER!

Throughout his career Lewis built a reputation as a leader and intimidating force at middle linebacker. The Ravens did not allow a single 100-yard rusher in 51 consecutive games from the 1998 through 2001 seasons. In addition to his run defense, Lewis has also gained a reputation as a complete defender. Today he is considered one of the most dominant linebackers in the history of the National Football League. Lewis was also selected as the third best linebacker of all time on the show The Sports List. A poll of NFL coaches selected Lewis as the most dominant player in the NFL before the 2003 season by being mentioned on ten ballots while no other player was mentioned more than twice.

Personally the one thing that sets him apart is his speeches.  Ray Lewis maybe one of the best motivational speakers ever. When I hear this man speak it gives me goosebumps and I want to run through a wall for him. He talks to regular people just as passionate as he talks to his teammates. When he speaks to a team or a program, you see the passion for life in his eyes. You hear the pain of a man who has been through it all and then some. YOU RELATE even though you really can’t. Ray Lewis makes you feel like you can do anything.

We will miss you this season Ray. I along with millions of other fans thank you for the effort, passion and leadership you brought to every game. I truly hope this isn’t the last time we see you playing but if it is I will remember you for playing  like this:

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