Ray Lewis Ravens
Linebacker, Baltimore’s Heart
Baltimore January 6, 2013
All great things must come
to an end. Today at M&T Bank Stadium will be the last time that Ray Lewis;
the face of the Ravens Franchise, the greatest linebacker of all time and the heart
of Baltimore City will play at home. For 17 years #52 has patrolled sideline to
sideline instilling fear in opponents like never before by playing with
passion, determination, and dedication that will likely never be matched.
Sure, the Ravens’ Brass
knew that they were selecting a great talent when they drafted Lewis with the
26th pick (acquired from the 49ers as the Browns in 1995) in the
1996 Draft. However, there is no way that they could know that they were
selecting a player who would not only lead them to a Super Bowl championship,
become the greatest to play his position and who would also undoubtedly become
the face of the franchise and city.
Every so often the stars
align perfectly allowing for something special to take place; that’s exactly
what happened with the Ravens and Ray Lewis. From day one Lewis has proven to
be the Ravens franchise’s most valuable asset. With his play, charisma and
emotion Lewis lead a Ravens defense that was more feared than nuclear warfare
for over a decade; this of course includes the 2000 Super Bowl winning defense
that may be the best ever.
The statistics are astonishing to say the least; 13 100
tackle seasons, Defensive Player of The Year (2000, 2003), Super Bowl XXV MVP,
13 Pro Bowls and 7 AP All Pro First Team selections. “Sugar Ray” is also the
only player in NFL history to have 40 sacks (41.5) and 30 interceptions (31).
Head Coaches, Offensive Coordinators, Quarterbacks and
Running Backs alike time after time have sat in meetings quivering trying to figure
out ways to avoid #52. Time after time, sack after sack, tackle after tackle
and hit after hit they have failed. In fact the only thing that seems to be
able to stop Lewis is himself be it injury or deciding to walk away from the
game on his own terms.
Lewis’s impact off the gridiron has been just as
significant if not more. No player in NFL history has had the uncanny ability
to motivate not just his teammates or athletes but young men (African American
in particular) like Lewis. When Lewis speaks young men from some of America’s
most dangerous places and in the most dire of situations listen, often with
goose bumps on their skin and tears in their eyes.
Unlike most men that
come before them Lewis can relate 110 percent to their plight. Yes he has seen
the highest of highs as he was awarded super bowl MVP but like so many inner
city young men he has seen the lowest of lows being charged with murder. It’s
that perfect storm of being a superior athlete, superior motivator and his rise
from ashes, fall from grace only to rise again that makes Lewis’s voice so
potent.
And there is nowhere where Lewis’s voice rings louder than
the City of Baltimore. He exudes the hard working, gritty, grind it out, fight
through all adversity and charming spirit of Baltimore. During his 17 years in
Baltimore, Lewis has impacted so many young men who were in need of a helping
hand or calling out for a positive male role model. He has helped countless
families who were struggling to obtain basic necessities. From toy and clothing
drives to donating holiday dinners to families, the list of Lewis’s deeds in
Baltimore goes on and on. But, there is something else Lewis has provided that
has been just as, if not more important. Hope!
Lewis provided a sense of hope, passion and will to improve
and succeed to a city in dire need of all the above. Lewis came to a city
struggling with over 300 homicides and as he continued to grow in his greatness
both on and off the field the city improved. There is no doubt that Baltimore
still has a long way to go but, for 17 years one man has been a "Ray" of light for those whom would have otherwise been in the dark.
Mayors have come and gone and the Baltimore City Police
Department has had more commissioners than the Cleveland Browns have had
starting quarterbacks. However, through all the change, turmoil, good times and
bad times there has been one constant; the riveting pregame speech giving, hard
hitting, dancing linebacker dawning that familiar #52 who seemed to have put
the pulse of the city into every tackle. It’s fitting that Lewis is hanging it
up when Baltimore is seeing violent crime at historic lows but, simultaneously
is at another pivotal crossroads. Fate would also have it that Lewis’s last
home game would be played against “that team” that left Baltimore by way of
Mayflower 28 years ago.
So today as you watch the pregame dance that has become
just as synonymous with Baltimore as crabs for the last time think and reflect
but also recognize one thing; when the clock reads 0:00 there will be a curtain
call and likely a victory lap that Lewis should take with pride (especially
after beating “that team”). You should stand and applaud wherever you are as it
will be the last time you will see Mr. Raven and the heart of Baltimore dawn the
Ravens #52. There is no doubt that there will never be another Ray Lewis but,
who will take his place as the face of both the Ravens and the city remains to
be seen. There will be much debate about what Ray should do in retirement. Some
believe he should coach, many think he should become a motivational speaker and
some say he is destined for sports broadcasting. However, for now we should all
just say thank you, thank you, thank you!
Baltimore November 28, 2013
