OWINGS MILLS — Jamal Lewis’ successful six-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens will be commemorated by the AFC North franchise this fall when he’ll be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor.
The retired former All-Pro running back will be honored prior to the Ravens’ Sept. 27 game at M&T Bank Stadium against the Cleveland Browns, a nationally televised Thursday night game and the fourth game of the regular season.
The Ravens placed a photo of Lewis on their tickets for the Browns game.
Lewis, 32, is the Ravens’ all-time leading rusher with 7,801 yards, gaining 10,607 career yards and scoring 58 touchdowns.
He was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 when he rushed for a career-high 2,066 yards.
Lewis came close to Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing mark of 2,105 yards. He’s one of six backs to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark along with Dickerson, Terrell Davis, Barry Sanders, O.J. Simpson and Chris Johnson.
During that season, Lewis broke Corey Dillon’s single-game NFL rushing record of 278 yards with a 295-yard game against the Browns.
That record was later broken by Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson’s 296 yards in a 2007 game against the San Diego Chargers.
A former first-round draft pick from the University of Tennessee, Lewis helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl during his rookie season after being selected with the fifth overall pick. Lewis rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens’ Super Bowl XXXV victory over the New York Giants.
Lewis’ last NFL season was with the Browns during the 2009 season, but his career was cut short due to concussions.
He has joined the legion of former NFL players who have joined concussion lawsuits against the league.
Since retiring, Lewis has also filed for bankruptcy protection citing failed investments.
NOTE: The Ravens’ 2013 opponents were announced by the NFL in its annual Record & Fact Book.
The Ravens’ home games are against the usual AFC North opponents, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns, as well as the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and an undetermined AFC South team that has the same place in the standings this season as the Ravens.
The Ravens’ road games are at Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Cleveland and against the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and an undetermined AFC West team. The Ravens will play an AFC West team that finishes with the same record as them this season.