Lewis was selected by the Ravens in the first round of the1996 NFL draft, and upon his retirement following the2012 season, was the last remaining active player from the team's inaugural season. Lewis immediately became a leader on defense and led the team in tackles as a rookie, the first of 14 times he led the Ravens in tackles.
In 2000, Lewis pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in connection with the stabbing deaths of two men; he testified as a key witness at the trial, and a jury determined the killings were acts ofself-defense.[3][4] The following season, he was namedNFL Defensive Player of the Year and led the Ravens' record-setting defense, which established a 16-game single-season record for the fewest points allowed (165) and the fewest rushing yards allowed (970), to victory inSuper Bowl XXXV. Lewis also became the second linebacker to win theSuper Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, and the first to win the award on the winningSuper Bowl team.[5][note 1] Lewis won his second Defensive Player of the Year award in 2003, becoming the sixth player to win the award multiple times.[6] After a triceps tear that sidelined him for most of the2012 regular season, Lewis returned for the Ravens' playoff run and earned his secondSuper Bowl victory in his final NFL game. On February 3, 2018, the fifth anniversary of his final game, Lewis was selected to thePro Football Hall of Fame in his first 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 football play, Lewis is widely considered to be the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history.[10][11][12][13] He was a 13-timePro Bowler, a 10-timeAll-Pro, and one of the few players in NFL history to play in a Pro Bowl in three decades (1990s, 2000s, and 2010s). He is also considered to be the greatest Baltimore Raven of all time,[14] as well as one of the greatest defensive players of all time.[15][16]
Early life
Raymond Anthony Lewis Jr. was born inBartow, Florida inCentral Florida,[17] the oldest of five siblings. His mother was just 16 at the time of his birth, while his father was absent for most of his life. Not much was known about his father's life other that he was a record-setting high schoolwrestler before he was incarcerated for drug-related offenses.[18] As a boy, and the eventual older brother to four younger siblings, Lewis quickly became the man of the house. He helped his sisters with their hair and made sure his younger brother arrived at daycare on time. When his father's contact became less frequent, he abandoned his last name and changed it to the last name of his mother's boyfriend, Ray Lewis, when he enteredKathleen High School inLakeland, Florida.[19]
In addition to being a greathigh school football player, Lewis was a prolificwrestler, winning aFlorida wrestling state title.[17][20] He later revealed that his stepfather was extremely abusive towards his mother, and got a deck of 52playing cards to start his push-up regimen, so he could get stronger to protect her. This also was the reason behind choosing the #52 jersey in his professional career.[21] He is the older brother of formerUniversity of Maryland running backKeon Lattimore.[22] Lewis was anAll-American linebacker for the football team at Kathleen, overcoming his smaller size at the time with his intensity and instincts.[23]
College career
Lewis enrolled in theUniversity of Miami, where he was a member of theMiami Hurricanes football team.[24] As a freshman, he was an immediate contributor and became a starter for the Hurricanes' final five games. He compiled 81 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and four pass deflections en route to being named to the freshman All-American team.[25]
In his sophomore season, Lewis earned first-team All-American and All-Big East honors. Lewis led the Big East with 153 tackles and also contributed nine tackles for a loss, two sacks, and an interception 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 named to the All-American[28] and All-Big East teams, and finished as runner-up for theButkus Award, given to the top linebacker in college football.[29] Lewis finished his junior season with 160 tackles, the second highest in University of Miami team history after Ed Weisacosky's 164 in 1965.[30]
Lewis led the Big East in tackles his last two seasons and accumulated the fifth most in Miami history despite playing only three seasons.[31]
Lewis was the top-ratedinside linebacker heading into the 1996 NFL Draft,[35][36] in whichKevin Hardy was considered the draft's only outstanding linebacker prospect.[37] Taken as the fifth linebacker in the draft, Lewis was seen by scouts as possessing speed, tackling ability, and intensity, as well as being praised for his ability to go into pass coverage. But many considered his lack of size a potential liability.[37][38][39] In his first career game, a week 1 19–14 victory over theOakland Raiders, Lewis earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his seven-tackle performance, along with an unusual interception.[40][41] Lewis earnedUSA Today's All-Rookie team honors after his 15 tackles for loss led theNFL and 110 tackles led the Ravens in the 1996 season.[42] He finished his rookie season with two and a half sacks, six pass deflections, and an interception on the season as the Ravens finished with a 4–12 record.[43][44][45]
1997 season
In week 9, against theWashington Redskins, Lewis earned his second AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor.[46] Lewis 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 earned his firstPro Bowl berth at the end of that season.[48][49] In addition, Lewis totaled four sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble 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 sack against the Bengals in a 20–13 win.[52] Lewis made his second trip to the Pro Bowl after recording 120 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and seven pass deflections.[53][54] He led the 6–10 Ravens in tackles for the third consecutive season.[55][56] He was also named toThe Sporting News All-Pro Team. In what would prove to be Hall of FameDetroit Lions running backBarry Sanders's final game, Lewis and 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 the regular season against theSt. Louis Rams, Lewis had 14 solo tackles, four tackles for loss, an interception, and a sack in the 27–10 loss.[58] In week 2 against thePittsburgh Steelers, he finished with a team leading 13 combined tackles in the 23–20 loss.[59] In week 3 against theCleveland Browns, Lewis had ten combined tackles and a sack in the 17–10 win.[60] In week 4 against theAtlanta Falcons, Lewis finished with 12 combined tackles in the 19–13 overtime win.[61] During week 5 against theTennessee Titans, Lewis had 13 tackles and the only scored safety of his career in the 14–11 loss.[62] In week 8 against theBuffalo Bills, Lewis had 14 tackles and a sack in the 13–10 loss.[63] Despite the Ravens having an 8–8 regular season record, Lewis led the NFL in tackles with 165.[64][65] He was named to a third-straightPro Bowl and the All-Pro first team.[66][67] In addition, he totaled three and a half sacks, three interceptions, eight pass deflections, a safety, and a forced fumble.[68] Lewis won the 1999NFL Alumni Linebacker Of The Year chosen by past NFL players voting according to the position they played.[citation needed]
2000: Record-setting defense, Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl XXXV MVP
In 2000, Lewis led a defense which many call the greatest in NFL history for a single season.[69][70][71] In week 2 of the regular season against theJacksonville Jaguars, Lewis led the team in tackles with 11 tackles in the 39–36 win.[72] In week 3 against theMiami Dolphins, Lewis had 11 tackles in the 19–6 loss.[73] In week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he finished 13 tackles and a fumble recovery in the 15–10 win.[74] In week 13 against theCleveland Browns, Lewis had five tackles and two sacks in the 44–7 blowout win.[75] Lewis finished the regular season with a franchise leading 137 tackles, as well as two interceptions, six pass deflections, and three fumble recoveries. The team set a 16-game single-season record for fewest points allowed (165) and fewest rushing yards allowed (970).[76] The team recorded four shutouts, one shy of the single-season record. The unit finished first league-wide in six key defensive categories. Including the postseason, and excluding three combined touchdowns that were given up by the Ravens offense and special teams, Baltimore's defense allowed only 184 points in 20 games. After the regular season, he earned a unanimous All-Pro selection, and was once again named to start in the Pro Bowl.[77][78][79][80] In theWild Card Round against theDenver Broncos, Lewis had seven tackles and an interception in the 21–3 win.[81] In theDivisional Round against theTennessee Titans, Lewis had 12 combined tackles and an interception returned 50 yards for the clinching touchdown in the 24–10 win.[82][83] In theAFC Championship against theOakland Raiders, he had seven combined tackles and a fumble recovery in the 16–3 win.[84] Lewis was named NFL Defensive Player of The Year for the 2000 season.[85] The Ravens became only the second team to ever record a defensive shutout in a Super Bowl, as they dominated theNew York Giants 34–7 to 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] He also added 31 tackles, twointerceptions, 9 pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and a touchdown in the four-game playoff run.[88][89]
2001 season
In 2001, Lewis earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl selection, when he led the NFL in tackles with 162 and earned first-team All-Pro honors.[90][91][92] In week 12, he had a career-high 18 total tackles and one 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 a 15–0 shutout of theCincinnati Bengals. He had two interceptions and 11 total tackles in the win.[94] The Ravens earned a playoff berth with 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 season ended in the divisional round.[96]
2002 season
In 2002, Lewis was limited to only five games due to a shoulder injury.[97] He still managed to rank fifth on the team with 58 tackles.[98] In addition, Lewis compiled two interceptions, two pass deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Lewis earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in week 4 against theDenver Broncos after posting and tying his career-high with 18 tackles (11 solo), two pass deflections, and an interception.[99] After having been selected to thePro Bowl for five consecutive seasons (1997–2001), Lewis's streak was stopped by his season-ending injury. In his absence, the Baltimore Ravens defense finished ranked 19th in points allowed the team as a whole finished with a 7–9 record.[100][101]
2003 season: Second Defensive Player of the Year award
Lewis was the leading vote recipient for the 2003 AP All-Pro team, earning 49 of 50 votes.[102] He also won the annual AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year with 43 votes out of 50.[85] He was named to his sixth career Pro Bowl for the 2003 season.[103] Additionally, Lewis earnedPro Football Weekly, PFWA, andFootball Digest Defensive MVP honors and was named to Dr. Z'sSports Illustrated All-Pro team,Pro Football Weekly's All-NFL team,Pro Football Weekly's All-AFC team,Football Digest's All-Pro first team, andThe Sporting News' All-Pro team. Lewis also earned the KC 101 AFC Defensive Player of the Year award for the 3rd time in four years, the 2003NFL Alumni Linebacker Of The Year, and finished with 161 tackles, one and a half sacks, six interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 14 pass deflections, and one touchdown. He was namedNFL Defensive Player of the Month for November[104] and AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his 15-tackle, one-interception performance against thePittsburgh Steelers in week 17.[105] In theWild Card Round loss to theTennessee Titans, Lewis totaled 17 tackles.[106]
2004 season
In 2004, Lewis was named first-team All-Pro by the AP, second-team "All Pro" byCollege and Pro Football Weekly andFootball Digest, and "All Pro" byThe Sporting News.[107] He finished the 2004 season playing 15 games while recording 146 total tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries, one fumble forced, and six pass deflections as the Ravens went 9–7.[108][109] He earned a seventh Pro Bowl nomination.[110]
2005 season
Lewis's 2005 season was cut short by an injury in week 6. He was placed on injured reserve in week 8, having amassed 46 tackles, a sack, an interception, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery in the season's first six games.[111][112] The Ravens struggled to a final record of 6–10.[113]
In 2006, Lewis led the Ravens defense to an NFL-best ranking in 14 major defensive categories, including total yards allowed, points per game allowed, and interceptions. The Ravens also finished second in sacks, take-aways, and rushing yards allowed.[114] Lewis missed two games due to an injury, but still recorded 103 tackles, a personal best of five sacks, two interceptions, and eight pass deflections in 14 games. He also forced a fumble and recovered one.[115] The Ravens allowed just one 100-yard rushing performance in the 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 theTampa Bay Buccaneers in the season opener.[116] He was also selected to the Pro Bowl, but withdrew because of a hand injury, ceding his spot to fellow Ravens linebackerBart Scott.[117][118] Lewis finished fifth in voting for Defensive Player of the Year.[119] Lewis totaled 15 tackles and a pass deflection in theDivisional Round loss to theIndianapolis Colts.[120]
2007 season
Lewis with the Baltimore Ravens, 2007
Despite the Ravens' mediocre 5–11 season, Lewis was the team's leading tackler.[121] Against theCleveland Browns, Lewis recorded 16 tackles, recovered a fumble, and returned an interception for a touchdown.[122] He earned his ninth career Pro Bowl nomination.[123] He finished the season with 120 total tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, ten passes deflected, two interceptions, and one touchdown.[124]
In 2008, Lewis helped lead the Ravens to the AFC Championship while totaling 117 tackles, three and a half sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and nine passes deflected.[125][126] He was named a starter to the Pro Bowl, his tenth such nomination, and was named anAssociated Press first-team All-Pro for the sixth time.[127][128] In addition, he was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his eight tackles, two interception, and two pass deflections against theHouston Texans in week 10.[129] In the three playoff games against theMiami Dolphins,Tennessee Titans, andPittsburgh Steelers, Lewis totaled 29 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one pass deflection in three games.[130][131][132] After the season, he became anunrestricted free agent, but agreed to return to the Baltimore Ravens to complete his career.[133] The contract, which would have run through 2015 (including two 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 by theAssociated Press for the seventh time (ninth selection overall) and named to his 11thPro Bowl.[135][136] He accumulated an AFC-leading 134 tackles on the season.[137] He also added three sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and seven passes deflected. Lewis added 21 tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection in two playoff games.[138] In the September 2009 issue ofSporting News' Magazine, Lewis was selected to their Team of the Decade (2000s). In week 2 against theSan Diego Chargers, Lewis made the game-saving tackle on running backDarren Sproles on a fourth-down play. After the game, Lewis said it was one of the best tackles he has made in his career.[139] Lewis was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame 1st team All-2000s Team.[140]
2010 season
In 2010, Lewis was named second-team All-Pro by theAssociated Press for the third time (10th All-Pro selection overall) and named to his 12thPro 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 the Panthers in Week 11.[142] Lewis added 13 tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble in two playoff games.[143] On Sunday, November 21, 2010, Lewis became only the second player in NFL history to record at least 30 interceptions and 30 sacks for their career.[144] He was the fastest player (204 games) to achieve that feat. He was ranked fourth by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2011. He earned the highest ranking for a defensive player on the initial ranking by the NFL players.[145]
2011 season
In week 3, Lewis was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against theSt. Louis Rams. In the 37–7 victory, Lewis had one sack, one forced fumble, and ten solo tackles.[146][147] In the 2011 season, Lewis was named to his 13th and what proved to be his finalPro Bowl, and led the Ravens with 95 tackles despite missing four games with an injury.[148] Lewis also collected two sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, and seven pass deflections. Lewis totaled 20 tackles and one pass deflection in two playoff games.[149][150] On Sunday, October 16, 2011, against theHouston Texans, Lewis became the first player in NFL history with at least 40 sacks and 30 interceptions in his career.[151] He was ranked 20th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2012.[152]
Lewis suffered torn triceps on October 14, 2012, during a game against theDallas Cowboys, and had them surgically repaired three days later.[153][154][155] Several sources had reported he was expected to return to action December 16 in the game against theDenver Broncos,[156] much earlier than his expected return in January,[157] but he was inactive for the game.[158] On January 2, 2013, Lewis announced he would retire after his team finished the2012–13 NFL playoffs.[159]
He returned to action for Baltimore'sWild Card Round game against theColts and led the defense to a 24–9 win.[160] On the game's last play, Lewis lined up on offense atfullback. The Ravens were not slated to play another home playoff game (since they were the number-four seed, and the day before, theHouston Texans beat the number-six seedCincinnati Bengals), so they wanted Lewis to be on the field for the final play. Next, the Ravens defeated theDenver Broncos in theDivisional Round, 38–35 in double overtime, and then defeated theNew England Patriots in theAFC Championship, 28–13.[161][162][163]Lewis's final career NFL game wasSuper Bowl XLVII, where the Ravens defeated theSan Francisco 49ers by a score of 34–31.[164][165] Lewis finished the regular season with 57 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one deflection in six games. In the postseason, Lewis led the NFL with 51 tackles.[166] He contributed two tackles for loss and one pass deflection in the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII run.[167]
Following aSuper Bowl XXXIV party inAtlanta on January 31, 2000, a fight broke out between Lewis' entourage and another group of people, resulting in the stabbing deaths of Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar. Lewis and two companions, Reginald Oakley and Joseph Sweeting, were questioned by Atlanta police, and 11 days later the three men were indicted on murder andaggravated assault charges. The fight occurred about 200 yards (180 m) from the Cobalt Lounge at 265 East Paces Ferry Road in theBuckhead Village neighborhood about two miles north of downtown Atlanta where Lewis had been celebrating.[168][169]The white suit Lewis was wearing the night of the killings was never found.Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard alleged the blood-stained suit was dumped in a garbage bin outside a fast food restaurant.[170] A knife found at the scene did not have any fingerprints or DNA. Lewis subsequently testified that Oakley and Sweeting had bought knives earlier in the week before the Super Bowl from aSports Authority where Lewis had been signing autographs.[169][171] Baker's blood was found inside of Lewis's limousine.[172]
Two weeks into the trial, Lewis's attorneys, Don Samuel and Ed Garland, negotiated a plea agreement with the District Attorney in which the murder charges against Lewis were dismissed in exchange for his testimony against Oakley and Sweeting,[173] and his guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice.[29] Lewis admitted he gave a misleading statement to police on the morning after the killings (initially telling them that he was not at the scene).[174] Superior Court Judge Alice D. Bonner sentenced Lewis to 12 months' probation. One year in prison is the maximum sentence for a first-time offender,[175] and the immediate probation was the judge's decision. He was also fined $250,000 by the NFL, which was believed to be the highest fine levied against an NFL player for an infraction not involving substance abuse.[176] Under the terms of the sentence, Lewis could not use drugs or alcohol during the duration of the probation.
Outcome
Oakley and Sweeting maintained that they had acted in self-defense, and after five hours ofdeliberation, the jury acquitted them of all charges in June 2000.[4][177] The following year, Lewis was namedSuper Bowl XXXV MVP. However, the signature phrase "I'm going to Disney World!" was given instead to quarterbackTrent Dilfer.[5]
On April 29, 2004, Lewis reached anout-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 an undisclosed settlement with Baker's family.[4]
During a taped pre-game interview withShannon Sharpe that aired on CBS before Super Bowl XLVII, Sharpe told Lewis that the families of the slain men find it difficult to see Lewis idolized by millions of fans, believing he knows more about the killings than he shared,[178] and asked what he had to say to those families. Lewis responded, "God has never made a mistake. That's just who He is, you see.... To the family, if you knew, if you really knew the way God works, He don't use people who commits anything like that for His glory."[179]
The Ravens'crisis management around Lewis's murder trial was revisited by former head coachBrian Billick, by then a media analyst, after the 2013 arrest ofAaron Hernandez and his swift release by the New England Patriots.[180]
Throughout his career, Lewis built a reputation as a leader and intimidating force atmiddle linebacker. He has led his team in tackles in 12 of his 14 seasons. The Ravens did not allow a single 100-yard rusher in 51 consecutive games from the 1998 through 2001 seasons.[181] In addition to his run defense, Lewis has also gained a reputation as a complete defender. His 31 interceptions rank fifth all-time among NFL linebackers, and just six short of the top spot. Since the murder allegations, Lewis's image has recovered, and today he is considered one of the most dominant linebackers in the history of theNFL.[182][183] Lewis was also selected as the third-best linebacker of all time on the showThe Sports List. A poll of NFL coaches selected him as the most dominant player in the NFL before the 2003 season by being mentioned on 10 ballots, while no other player was mentioned more than twice.[184] Team ownerSteve Bisciotti stated his intention to erect a statue of Lewis outsideM&T Bank Stadium. On September 4, 2014, days before the Ravens season opener, a statue of Lewis was unveiled in front of M&T Bank Stadium.[185]
Lewis opened the Ray Lewis Full Moon Bar-B-Que, which operated inBaltimore'sCanton neighborhood from February 2005 until 2008.[193] He has also gained several national corporate endorsements, some of which draw upon his tough image. In 2004, Lewis was placed on the cover of the highly popularMadden NFL 2005 video game published byEA Sports, and is also a very avid player of the same series. In 2006, it was announced that Lewis, Hall of Famerunning backGale Sayers, and entrepreneur Mark Bloomquist would form S&L Racing, intending to race both cars and trucks from aNorth Carolina headquarters.[194] Lewis's attempt to join NASCAR racing failed.[195]
On March 13, 2013, it was announced that Lewis would joinESPN as a contributor for their NFL coverage.[159] Lewis was let go by ESPN in 2016.[196] On June 20, 2017, it was announced Lewis had been hired by cable sports networkFox Sports 1.[197]
In August 2019, Lewis was announced as one of the celebrities to compete onseason 28 ofDancing with the Stars. He later withdrew from the competition due to a tendon injury in his foot, requiring surgery.[199]
Charitable activities
Lewis has been heavily involved in charitable activities throughout his professional career. He started the Ray Lewis 52 Foundation which is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to provide personal and economic assistance to disadvantaged youth.[200] The foundation has funded such events as adopting 10 families inBaltimore community for the holidays, an annual celebrity auction and bowling tournament, the Great Maryland Duck Derby,Thanksgiving food drives on North Avenue in Baltimore, and Ray's Summer Days. All proceeds have helped fund the Ray Lewis Foundation.
Lewis has since been involved in pressing political, business, and philanthropic leaders for a stronger commitment to disability sports both here and in the developing world. Lewis was also honored with a JB award (named in honor of CBS broadcasterJames Brown) during the 2006 off-season and received the "Act of Kindness" Award for his work in the community.[201]
Awards and accolades
Since his rookie year in 1996, Lewis has won numerous NFL awards, including being named Defensive Player of the Year twice (2000 and 2003), as well asSuper Bowl MVP after winningSuper Bowl XXXV after the2000 season. He is also a 13-timePro Bowler and seven-time AP First Team All-Pro player, a three-time AP Second Team All-Pro Selection, and was also a two-time All-American in college (1994 and 1995).
On May 11, 2010, a portion ofBaltimore'sNorth Avenue was renamed "Ray Lewis Way" in honor of the linebacker and his charitable work.[202]
Lewis had career totals of 2,059 total tackles (1,568 solo), 19 forced fumbles, 117 passes defended, 102.5 stuffs for a loss, 41.5 sacks, 20 fumble recoveries, 31 interceptions for 503 yards, one safety, and three touchdowns in 228 games.[203] He has been selected to 13 NFLPro Bowl games, a record for an inside/middle linebacker, in his 17 seasons, and led the NFL in tackles five times (1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2004). In 2003, Lewis led all linebackers with six interceptions, a total matching the post-merger all-time record for a middle linebacker in a single season.[204] 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 total All-Pro selections is a record for an inside/middle linebacker and ties the record for a linebacker (Lawrence Taylor also has 10 selections). In 21 career playoff games, Lewis has totaled 214 tackles (135 solo), two sacks, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions for 54 yards, 15 pass deflections, 10.5 stuffs for a loss, and one touchdown.
Lewis is aChristian, and his commitment to his faith was featured in aSports Illustrated cover story in 2006. He has a total of six children, four boys, and two girls.[207][20][208]
Michael Phelps, a Baltimore native and Ravens fan, stated that he found his life purpose and desire to compete in the2016 Summer Olympics after seeking Lewis's advice.[214][215]
Lewis is a fan of English soccer clubManchester City FC.[216] In 2015, Lewis' autobiography,I Feel Like Going On: Life, Game, and Glory, was published.[book 1][19]
^Walker, Childs (February 16, 2013)."Timeline of Ray Lewis' career".baltimoresun.com.Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. RetrievedFebruary 26, 2019.
^Elliott, Helene; Dillman; Lisa (December 7, 2005)."Report: Ray Lewis Out for Season".Los Angeles Times.Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. RetrievedOctober 8, 2022.
^Morgan, Jon; Athans, Marego (June 7, 2000)."Cognac, knives and fists".Baltimore Sun.Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 25, 2022.
^Petite, Steven; Marshall, Rick (June 1, 2022)."The history of the Madden Curse".Digital Trends.Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. RetrievedOctober 8, 2022.
^Chuck Howley of theDallas Cowboys was the first to win the award, doing so inSuper Bowl V despite his team losing. He is the only player to win the award on the losing team.
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