Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis

Lewis with the Baltimore Ravens in 2007
No. 52 – Baltimore Ravens
Position:	Middle linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1975-05-15) May 15, 1975 (age 49) Bartow, Florida
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:	Kathleen (Lakeland, Florida)
College:	Miami (FL)
NFL Draft:	1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 26
Career history
Baltimore Ravens (1996–2012)
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XXXV, XLVII) Super Bowl MVP (XXXV) 13× Pro Bowl (1997–2001, 2003, 2004, 2006–2011) 7× First-team All-Pro (1999–2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009) 3× Second-team All-Pro (1997, 1998, 2010) 2× NFL Defensive Player of Year (2000, 2003) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor 2× First-team All-American (1994, 1995)
Career NFL statistics
Tackles: 2,061 Quarterback sacks: 41.5 Pass deflections: 67 Interceptions: 31 Forced fumbles: 17 Fumble Recoveries: 20 Defensive Touchdowns: 3 Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Ray Anthony Lewis, Jr. (born May 15, 1975)^[1] is a former American football player. He played linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played his entire career for the Baltimore Ravens from 1996 to 2013. He played for the University of Miami in college. Lewis was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the 26th pick in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. Lewis was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXV making 11 tackles, 6 assists, and blocked 4 passes. He was the first linebacker to win the Super Bowl MVP award on the winning team.

Childhood

Lewis grew up in Ohio

College football

Lewis played for the Miami Hurricanes in college as a middle linebacker. Even though critics often said he was too small, Lewis became known for his intimidating style of play. He wore #52 on his jersey.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Lewis was drafted 26th oveall in the 1st Round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Four years later, Lewis was a Super Bowl MVP when Baltimore defeated the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. In that Super Bowl-winning 2000 NFL season, Lewis was part of a famous linebacker group that also had outside linebackers Jamie Sharper and Peter Boulware. Lewis was elected as the NFL Defensive player of the Year in 2000, and won it again in 2003.

Lewis playing against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium.

Throughout his career, Lewis has built a reputation as one of the best players in NFL history. In 2011, Lewis ranked #8 on the NFL's list of top 100 players. In his 16-year career, Lewis registered 1,993 tackles (1,514 solo), 40.5 sacks, intercepted 31 quarterback passes (returned for a total of 503 yards), and three touchdowns (including postseason).

On January 2, 2013, Lewis said that he intends retire from professional football after the 2012–13 NFL playoffs.^[1]

Personal

Lewis visits Army soldiers

Lewis is a self-proclaimed Christian.^[2] He lives in Maryland, USA. In 2001, Lewis started the Ray Lewis Foundation, which helps struggling young people. Lewis is respected by Baltimore. He has a street named after him, "#52 Avenue."

References

1. "Ray Lewis to retire after Baltimore Ravens' season". NFL. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
2. Nate Davis (January 2, 2013). "Ravens' Ray Lewis tells why he's retiring after playoffs". USA Today. Retrieved February 5, 2013.

Other websites

• Ray Lewis' Official website
• Ray Lewis at baltimoreravens.com Archived 2010-07-26 at the Wayback Machine
• Ray Lewis ESPN Profile