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Ray Lewis

For other people named Ray Lewis, see Ray Lewis (disambiguation).

Ray Lewis
refer to caption
Lewis in 2015
No. 52
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1975-05-15) May 15, 1975 (age 49)
Bartow, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:Kathleen (Lakeland, Florida)
College:Miami (FL) (1993–1995)
NFL draft:1996 / round: 1 / pick: 26
Career history
Career highlights and awards
NFL records
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:2,059
Sacks:41.5
Pass deflections:67
Interceptions:31
Forced fumbles:17
Fumble recoveries:20
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Raymond Anthony Lewis Jr. (born May 15, 1975) is an American former professional football linebacker who played his entire 17-year career for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he earned All-America honors. He is considered one of the greatest linebackers of all time. [1][2]

Lewis was selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft, and upon his retirement following the 2012 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 of self-defense.[3][4] The following season, he was named NFL 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 in Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis also became the second linebacker to win the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, and the first to win the award on the winning Super 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 the 2012 regular season, Lewis returned for the Ravens' playoff run and earned his second Super Bowl victory in his final NFL game. On February 3, 2018, the fifth anniversary of his final game, Lewis was selected to the Pro 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-time Pro Bowler, a 10-time All-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]

  1. ^ Karpovich, Todd (August 4, 2022). "Ravens Ray Lewis Named Greatest Linebacker of All-Time". Sports Illustrated Baltimore Ravens News, Analysis and More. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "Ray Lewis | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  3. ^ Thomas, Eric (January 24, 2013). "5 Common Misconceptions About Ray Lewis' Murder Trial". cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  4. ^ "Ravens' Lewis reaches settlement with victim's daughter". Sportsline.com. May 2, 2004. Archived from the original on November 26, 2007. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  5. ^ "Endorsement exile: Disney, Wheaties among those passing on MVP Lewis". SI.CNN.com. Associated Press. January 31, 2001. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013.
  6. ^ "Lewis wins DPOY". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 31, 2003. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  7. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (February 3, 2018). "Ray Lewis, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss lead HOF class". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  8. ^ "NFL Tackles Combined Career Leaders (since 1987)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  9. ^ "NFL Tackles Career Leaders (since 1994)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  10. ^ McVey, Rob (February 18, 2022). "25 Greatest Linebackers in NFL History". AthlonSports.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  11. ^ "Ray Lewis' legacy: Greatest inside linebacker in NFL history?". NFL.com. January 18, 2013. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  12. ^ Kenyon, David (October 23, 2018). "The Top 10 NFL Linebackers of All Time". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  13. ^ Rush, Nathan (February 7, 2013). "25 Greatest Middle Linebackers in NFL History". AthlonSports.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  14. ^ "Lewis Bio". baltimoreravens.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  15. ^ Mori, Dan (October 25, 2010). "NFL Power Rankings: Top 50 Greatest Defensive Players In NFL History". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  16. ^ Goodpaster, Mike (January 17, 2021). "The Top-20 Defensive Players in NFL History". The Grueling Truth. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.


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