The Other Side of Ray Lewis.

**StingerNLG** · 05-08-2010, 11:14 PM

It's funny that there is another Lewis thread that popped up before I posted this one, and it's clearly coincidental. But I wanted to share something with you guys tonight.

As much as we talk about Ray Lewis the player, and all the contract stuff and the injury incident, and even back to Atlanta, tonight I got to see another side of Ray. A side I didn't know existed, and something that gained me some newfound respect for who he is as a man. I can tell you I won't judge his off-the-field character from here out either unless he does something so horrific it can't be defended.

So, my company is IT support for a nonprofit school for underprivileged and disabled kids called The Childrens Guild. They've been a client of ours for over 10 years. It was founded in 1953 in part by a lady named Sadie Ginsberg. They basically take troubled and mentally challenged youth that can't make it in public school and work with them. They have multiple campuses and group and foster homes; etc.

Anyway, every year the school gives out a "Sadie Award" to someone in the community that recognizes their philanthropic efforts. And they give this award at a function called the Cabaret for Kids, where the school puts on a show about the life of the receipient. I've been to almost all of them except one. This year they honored Ray Lewis AND his mother Sunseria "Buffy" Smith. He was there, along with Art Modell and his wife who were the main sponsors this year of the event. Our company also helps sponsor the event which is why I get to be there.

Long story short, they told Ray's story, and it's nothing I've ever heard about the man. How he had to grow up, and how he turned down Florida State University because they wanted him to play behind Derrick Brooks (which is how he got to the University of Miami), and some of the more personal things about him. I also saw him cry on stage when he was presented the award, and got to hear his mother talk about his life growing up. Ray was also candid about how the team and Art backed him during the charges in Atlanta, and how he was never leaving Baltimore for the way we backed him.

People also don't know how much of his money he not only puts into the business world, but how much he spends on charity both here and overseas. I certainly didn't.

I also got to meet him and Art Modell up close tonight, and get pictures with both. He was absolutely welcoming to anyone who wanted to snap a picture. My boss and I walked up and simply said "Hey Ray, can we get a picture?" He grabbed me over and said "Yeah, let's do it." Even talked for a couple seconds before he got mobbed by other people. What's funny is that although he's pretty thick built, he's not that much bigger than me. And Art Modell is just absolute class. Tough seeing him in a wheelchair, but he had no problems shaking my hand and thanking me when I told him I was a PSL holder and thanked him for what he did for Baltimore and for me as a Football fan.

So for me tonight, I got to see another side of #52. And no matter what I think about his play on the field from now on, I won't question how he handles himself outside of Football.

Just wanted to share that experience.

**Sirdowski** · 05-09-2010, 12:34 AM

Thank you for sharing, truly refreshing to hear a story about someone in the NFL displaying integrity. There's a reason aside from his skill he's been so successful.

**HoustonRaven** · 05-09-2010, 08:14 AM

Agreed totally about Ray and his character. I had a similar time with Ray after he returned from Africa.

More than any athlete in the sport, Ray is held (or not held) to some odd standards by the teams owns fans that often paints him in a bad light. Nobody ever seems to want to see past that and see the type if man he has become.

It's hard to leave behind your troubled past and grow into a positive person who inspires. Ray has done that in spades yet his own fans don't bother to take the time to see it.

Glad you posted this, Mike.

**StingerNLG** · 05-09-2010, 08:26 AM

He seems to understand that people remember him mostly for Atlanta because that's what made national news. Not his philanthropy. Its the nature of news.

By the way I didn't mean to leave them out, but the rest of his brothers and sisters, and his Mother Sunseria, were also all in attendance last night. While its not something as public as the Ed Block Courage Award, this still is a big enough deal to have brought in other big figures including a main sponsorship by Art and Patricia Modell. And Ray and Sunseria felt it was important enough to have her whole family there.

And keep in mind he came straight from minicamp as well. He was supposed to be there by 5 for a VIP reception that we were in, but he didn't arrive until almost 8 (thanks Coach). But yet after all that he had no problem taking pictures and such.

**psuasskicker** · 05-09-2010, 06:00 PM

Great story, thanks for sharing!

Can you share the pics?

- C -

**festivus** · 05-09-2010, 06:30 PM

Wow, Stinger, thank you for sharing. It's great to hear stuff like that.

**StingerNLG** · 05-09-2010, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by psuasskicker

Great story, thanks for sharing!

Can you share the pics?

- C -

Sure. Let me see if this works with Facebook pics:

Now, the hopeful plan is this. I'm going to get that Ray Lewis pic printed on an 8x10 and framed. Then I'll take the picture to Training Camp and see if I can get him to sign it for me. Then it's going back on the wall in my billiard room next to my Heap picture.

Unless anyone has any connections for me on how to send the picture into the Ravens or maybe Kevin Burne?

**highwater** · 05-09-2010, 07:20 PM

Great story (and great pics), Stinger. Thanks for passing them along.

**psuasskicker** · 05-09-2010, 07:35 PM

Awesome pics, thanks for sharing!

- C -

**StingerNLG** · 05-09-2010, 08:17 PM

Thanks guys. It was a really awesome night. It was amazing to hear that at 9 years old, Sunseria made Ray the man of the house, and he was basically the one who took care of his brothers and sisters while she had to work. They had a burger joint and a lawn service where they all worked. And at 9 Ray told his mother he'd play in the NFL and she'd never have to work again. Sunseria also teared up when she talked about that.

**Rxdoxx** · 05-09-2010, 09:11 PM

Thanks for posting this, enjoyed reading it.

**Galen Sevinne** · 05-09-2010, 09:35 PM

Anyone ever wonder what Ray Lewis' rep would be like if those several minutes in Atlanta never occurred? Would we look at him in a similar manner as Cal in regards to his off the field character? Outside of a couple sulky moments, he has really been flawless in how he has carried himself off the field.

The guy is generous with charities, fans and other NFL players that might be struggling with the pressures of the NFl. Is there another NFL player around that is so supportive of other, younger NFL players?

As far as the autographed photo, if I was you, I would take it myself to training camp to get it signed if you have the time. Ray almost always signs after practrice. I have been able to get him to sign something for us every year...I usually go once a week. To me the value of an autograph is that I was able to hand the item to a player and have them sign it.

I did some work with some of the kids from the Children's Guild a while back at their Annapolis Middle School site. I am glad to see the attention that Ray and the Ravens gave them. Thanks for sharing.

**elland** · 05-10-2010, 08:15 AM

Great story and pics! Especially the Art pics.. seems like we are in the livingroom with the old man! Thanks!

**Khaine** · 05-10-2010, 09:59 AM

That whole story is awesome.

I'd like to add more but I'm out of everything for the moment...

**Dave Lap** · 05-10-2010, 11:05 AM

Very nice behind the scenes stuff.

You know, it's so easy, when discussing rising ticket prices, a possible strike, etc. to turn the conversation to the "greedy athletes" angle. It's stories like these that remind me that a lot of good gets done in the community because of guys like Ray Lewis.

**Ravenswarrior19** · 05-11-2010, 03:21 PM

Thanks for the story Stinger. Ray is complex, and lately we only seem to hear the negative side of this.

Another option for your autograph is to go to an official Ray autograph signing. It will cost you some money, but the autograph you get will look a little better too. (Better than a quick scribble while surrounded by 100 other people). May be worth it to you.

**Losac** · 05-11-2010, 03:30 PM

Great pics and story!

I do think Atlanta was a huge wake-up call for Ray. Seems that really was when he began to watch the characters he allowed into his entourage and he backed away from the "thug" and party lifestyle. It's sad that he'll never be able to live that down though. You wear a #52 jersey anywhere outside Baltimore and you'll get at least one person make a comment to you about the "murderer".

**RAVENOUS52** · 05-11-2010, 05:16 PM

Awesome story and pics, yet none of it surprises me in the least, namely because Ray Lewis has often made a positive presence in the neighborhood I grew up in (Park Heights) since the day he signed with the Ravens.

I always said to myself, "Damn, it takes a lot of guts for a guy that rich, who's not even from this town, to come to my hood with no bodyguards and work to make the community better..."

Even in the midst of the whole Atlanta fiasco I never lost faith in Ray Lewis because I knew what kind of person he was behind the scenes when nobody was looking.

Easily my favorite Baltimore athlete of All Time. In fact, I think his flaws are what makes me favor him even more over guys like Cal Ripken or Johnny Unitas. For my generation, Ray Lewis is the G.O.A.T.