Number 52 was back in Baltimore over the weekend and it wasn’t for mandatory mini-camp this season.
Retired Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was in town to celebrate his 9th Annual Walmart Ray’s Summer Days program.
Entering its 9th year, Walmart Ray’s Summer Days has established itself as the premier summertime fundraising event in Baltimore. Since the inception of Summer Days, the Ray Lewis Family Foundation has taken major steps towards raising significant money and economic benefits for the community of Baltimore, State of Maryland and additional international charities.
A sold-out crowd was on hand Friday evening at the Perry Hall Bowling Lanes where fans joined Lewis and several other stars for his annual celebrity bowling tournament.
“This is pretty awesome being able to bowl along with Ray and all of these great people.” replied Lisa Strong from Parkville. “Ray does so much for the community and is great to see he is continuing to do so after he retired.” she also added.
The weekend consisted of multiple events including the bowling tournament, a youth fitness clinic on Saturday morning at Patterson Park and a Paintball Tournament later that day.
Ray Lewis may be retired now however his stance on giving back to the community will never call it quits. The future Hall of Famer will no doubt continue to shine in Baltimore.
“If I can give back to anyone then it is my duty. The only way to change the community is to go back into the community”, Lewis said while explaining why he gives back as much as he does.
As much as Lewis has done in his football career on the field he does off the field as well. Many events come and go without much fanfare or ado. It seems fitting for a man who describes himself as humble.
“I always tell people sometimes I wish I was telling someone else’s story but most of the time I’m telling mine. A lot of people see good day’s but a lot of people don’t see there was bad day’s too. From a young age I was humbled as a man. It is not how much you have, it is about what you do with it.”
Baltimore and the entire state of Maryland was lucky to have a player like Lewis. The cold hard fact that Ray will no longer be on the field on Sunday’s is very sad however his presence in the community will last forever.
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