Ray Lewis redefined what it means to play defense in the NFL. He is a certain first ballot Hall of Famer and he is already considered by many to be the greatest linebacker to ever play in the NFL. But his career didn't start out that way. After being drafted in the first round out of the University of Miami, Ray Lewis came to the Baltimore Ravens as an undersized middle linebacker with significant upside "intangibles". Yet despite his obvious focus and on-the-field leadership, Lewis found himself in an Atlanta jail cell in early 2000. He would eventually plead guilty to obstruction of justice charges in connection with a double murder and his image was permanently scarred. But that marked a dramatic turning point in Ray Lewis' life, and he has never looked back.
The season after his arrest, Lewis led an offensively challenged Baltimore Ravens team to an improbable victory in Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis was named the MVP of the Super Bowl and the 2000 Ravens defense is now mentioned among the greatest to ever take the field. And although that would be the last time that Baltimore would reach the Super Bowl, the team is a regular playoff participant, often riding Lewis-led defenses to their success.
Off the field, Ray Lewis has worked hard to rebuild his image and he is now among the most marketable players in the league, behind only a handful of elite quarterbacks. Lewis will return to the field for Baltimore on Sunday in their home playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts. Emotions for the game will be at a fever pitch on both sidelines as the Colts' Chuck Pagano continues his recovery from cancer against the backdrop of what is likely to be Ray Lewis' last game in Baltimore.
And regardless of the outcome, the fans of Baltimore are assured to see Ray Lewis emerge from the tunnel one more time, generating a wave of excitement and passion the likes of which may have never been seen before in the NFL.
The season after his arrest, Lewis led an offensively challenged Baltimore Ravens team to an improbable victory in Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis was named the MVP of the Super Bowl and the 2000 Ravens defense is now mentioned among the greatest to ever take the field. And although that would be the last time that Baltimore would reach the Super Bowl, the team is a regular playoff participant, often riding Lewis-led defenses to their success.
Off the field, Ray Lewis has worked hard to rebuild his image and he is now among the most marketable players in the league, behind only a handful of elite quarterbacks. Lewis will return to the field for Baltimore on Sunday in their home playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts. Emotions for the game will be at a fever pitch on both sidelines as the Colts' Chuck Pagano continues his recovery from cancer against the backdrop of what is likely to be Ray Lewis' last game in Baltimore.
And regardless of the outcome, the fans of Baltimore are assured to see Ray Lewis emerge from the tunnel one more time, generating a wave of excitement and passion the likes of which may have never been seen before in the NFL.
