NFL: Ray Lewis Needs To Earn Off-The-Field Respect

On the field, Ray Lewis is a fantastic football player. He plays middle linebacker better than anyone else in the NFL. While watching him play, you can't help but admire his quickness, speed from sideline to sideline, and his ability to wrap up the ballcarrier. He is the heart and soul of that great Raven defense.

But there is still something missing.

His head coach (Brian Billick) and teammates were always defending him to the media during the Super Bowl week. Corporations did not want to use Lewis on their cereal boxes or their advertisements after his MVP performance. Much of America, including myself, was embarrassed for the NFL because Lewis was voted the MVP of the Super Bowl. The players and coaches from opposing teams respect him and his ability on the field. So what's the problem off the field?

Although the problem stems from his guilty plea of obstruction of justice in a double murder, Lewis' handling of the situation is hard to respect. First of all, Lewis hangs out with the wrong crowd. Sure, you have to be loyal to your friends. But if they start bringing you down, like being involved in the killing of two people, you have to find different friends. In fact, these guys could not be friends if they jeopardize Lewis' freedom and talent to play in the NFL.

Furthermore, his lack of care and concern for the families of the two murder victims is ridiculous. If he were to show sympathy, give money to the families, or come out with the truth, Lewis would be received by people in a much different light. Instead, whenever Lewis is interviewed, he talks about "his" tragedy and triumph that God put "him" through. What?!? What about the two dead people and their families? Ray, you did not have a tragedy happen to you. These families did.

I heard Dan Patrick of ESPN radio talk about how Lewis should have been on the Wheaties box with some of his other teammates. Yeah right, Dan. Corporations cannot afford to have their image tarnished with a guy like Lewis no matter how good a football player he is. Lewis got a slap on the wrist from the courts and the NFL for his involvement and shows no sympathy, except to himself. This guy should not be rewarded with advertising deals. Kerry Collins stood up and faced the music. He is getting help for his alcoholism.

The only help Ray Lewis is getting is from his lawyers, coach, and teammates who always speak for him.

Face the media, own up to what you did, and show some remorse and sympathy. Only then will you be truly respected as a person, not just a great NFL player. Maybe you don't care about respect off the field? Well, if this is true, another tragedy like the double murder may just happen to you again.