While former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis will no doubt end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio upon his eligibility, he first has a stop to make.
On Thursday the legendary Ray Lewis was one of 75 players and six coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision named by the National Football Foundation for the 2014 College Football Hall of Fame ballot.
Lewis enjoyed a stellar college career playing at the University of Miami.
Ray took the field in his freshman year (1993) and never looked backe The Florida native recorded 81 tackles, two sacks and four pass defelections all in just five starts.
The young Ray Lewis thrived in his sophomore year at the “U.” Former Miami Hurricane defensive coordinator Greg McMackin recalled in an interview in November of 2010 about how physical Lewis played the game.
“He was a violent player,” McMackin stated to SI. “He was never trying to hurt people, but he had a lot of energy built up in his body and in his soul.” he then added.
Energy for sure! Lewis led the Hurricanes in tackles that year with 153 (nine for losses), two sacks and one interception.
While hard to top his sophomore season, Ray turned plenty of heads during his junior year, when he recorded an astounding 160 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions and one touchdown.
Lewis ultimately played his way out of college in his sophomore and junior years.
Lewis opted to enter the 1996 NFL draft and the rest is history. Those of us lucky enough to have had the honor of watching him play witnessed history right before our very eyes.
While the College Football Hall of Fame inductees won’t be announced until May, Lewis looks like a sure fire first ballot induction.
For a complete list of nominees visit the Orlando Sentinel here.
Follow me on Twitter @sportguyRSR
