Of all the people who have played for the Ravens over the past 13 years, which has been, and always will be my favorite player?
Ray Lewis!
What a better player and person to look up to! Kids like me almost always seek a “role model” and for me that’s No. 52. Without question one of the best middle linebackers to ever play the game, Ray gives back as much as he can and he works tirelessly at everything he does. On top of that, he is a future Hall of Famer. He strives to be the best that he can be all the time. I think this is the attitude that all young people should have as they grow older.
There has been debate over the past couple of years if Ray-Ray is the best. I know that he is. Nothing can change my mind on this. He should go down as not only the best linebacker, but the best defensive player to ever play the game. In my mind this is not even a question. After this season, if he continues his pace, he will have over 2,000 tackles and 40 sacks! I know stat wise; he is up there with Dick Butkus and Lawrence Taylor.
I’m sure that Ray thinks that he is better than those two!
Of course he has the stats to show, but also, there are very few people that have had the effect on the sport that he has had. How many people do you know bring out the mental part of this sport as much as Ray? Without a doubt, as a running back sees Ray plug holes, or as a quarterback sees 52 rush into his face, he brings fear into their hearts.
He can change the minds of the other team with his ability alone, but he also has the power to change the mindset of his own team. His pregame chant, the famous “Ray Lewis Dance”, or his in-game emotional speeches, are just a few of the reasons that he has the most heart and soul of any current player. Not only do you need the proper skill-sets, you must also have the constant emotion and desire to play the game like this 11 time pro-bowler has.
We will have to see what the future holds, but I feel he has the ability to play another 3 years. It doesn’t seem his pace has slowed down. Since 2006, his tackles have gone up every year except in 2008. Even as he has gotten older, He has not missed a game since week 17 of 2007. He is a train that cannot be stopped. So these stats just prove that Ray Lewis gets better with age.
One of the reasons he does so well staying healthy is that he devotes his life to being better at what he does. He eats, drinks, and sleeps football! He devotes his entire life to football. I wouldn’t think that you would see him on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. You probably won’t see him on Celebrity Apprentice. Why would he “waste” his time doing all of these shows? I think it is a misuse of time for people like Ray Lewis to be in another competition where they have to worry about training, or thinking about things other than the task ahead of them. That task… working tirelessly to help the team make a Super Bowl.
He has accomplished this feat already but I know he, and the rest of the team would like another Lombardi Trophy.
Even after Lewis was proven innocent in the murder case of two men on January 31, 2000, some fans still are not sure if he is a good person.
Why would they question this?
He is dedicated to his work with football, but he also cares about his community and wants to give back as much as he can. Every year he gives a great Thanksgiving dinner to people in Baltimore City. Also, he has his own charity, The Ray Lewis 52 Foundation. He gives backpacks to less-fortunate kids in the inner city and gives away scholarships.
So many things that he has done since the incident have at least to me, proven that he is a great role model. Recently, Ray reached out to a 10 year old boy who lost his mother in a car wreck. He went bowling with the boy and showed great sympathy for him. Lewis is also helping set up a fund for the boy to help him have a normal life again. Ray always reaches out to the less fortunate and from what I hear about this Baltimore fan favorite, he seems like a really great guy.
As I said, because of all the things above, he is a perfect person to look up to. We all know Ray Lewis is a great player however it is who he is as a person that makes him a true role model. I hope he never lets me down.
Take Plaxico Burress for example, a fantastic player but poor judgment and a lack of character demonstrated his disrespect for the fans that loved him. It would be disappointing if Ray stopped being Ray. All the years that people have looked up to him would be ruined. Also, there is no other famous figure that I can say has had as much effect on my life has Ray has had.
I will always try to be like Ray on and off the field!
