Ray Lewis
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BDC approves development backed by Ray Lewis in closed session

Dec/22/06 02:07 PM
The Baltimore Development Corp. voted behind closed doors Thursday morning in favor of a development team led by the Cormomy Company and linked with Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis to redevelop a group of waterfront properties in the Carroll Camden section of the city.

The vote appeared to have taken place under the same circumstances as another redevelopment project which was challenged in the courts and ultimately required the city's economic development arm to open its meetings to the public.

Following the meeting, board Chairman Arnold L. Williams and BDC President M.J. "Jay" Brodie said they consulted with an attorney from the city's law department before taking the closed door vote.

Pro Bowl vote 'crazy,' Lewis says - Snub saddens linebacker, not for self but his teammates

Dec/20/06 11:51 PM
OWINGS MILLS // Proudly wearing his AFC North championship cap, linebacker Ray Lewis insisted he wasn't bitter about being snubbed for the Pro Bowl.

Speaking for the first time since he was named an alternate Tuesday, Lewis expressed regret that teammates Trevor Pryce and Bart Scott did not make the team before openly questioning the voting of players around the league.

"I never played this game for Pro Bowls," Lewis said Wednesday. "Is it sad the way it goes down? Of course. I was around when the voting was right. I was around when you used to vote for guys for what they did and not by whatever comes up.

"Now, it's getting kind of crazy because the league is getting very young. These guys don't know how to vote no more. That's not the way the game should be."

Ravens Send Five to Pro Bowl, But Not Ray Lewis

Dec/20/06 09:14 AM
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP)- The AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens had five players selected to play in the Pro Bowl, including two linebackers- neither of whom is named Ray Lewis.

Safety Ed Reed, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and outside linebacker Adalius Thomas were named starters; linebacker Terrell Suggs and cornerback Chris McAlister will head to Hawaii as reserves.

Lewis, tight end Todd Heap, kicker Matt Stover and special team standout Gary Stills were named alternates. To join their teammates at the Pro Bowl, a player listed ahead of them must choose not to play.

Ravens' R. Lewis to start against Steelers - LB missed two straight games with sore back

Nov/26/06 12:33 PM
Linebacker Ray Lewis will play, but right guard Keydrick Vincent and tight end Daniel Wilcox will not in today's Ravens showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Lewis (bruised back) was not on the Ravens' injury report and will play for the first time since colliding with free safety Ed Reed during the team's win against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 5.

(baltimoresun.com)

Ravens' R. Lewis returns to practice - LB considered a game-time decision

Nov/25/06 10:50 AM
Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis practiced yesterday for the first time since injuring his back nearly three weeks ago, and his availability for tomorrow is considered a game-time decision.

During the media viewing of yesterday's non-contact workout, Lewis showed no hesitancy in any of the drills, whether it was running, backpedaling or catching a pass from coach Brian Billick.

Asked after practice whether he intends to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers tomorrow, Lewis said, "I don't know yet."

Billick optimistic R. Lewis will play Sunday - Ravens LB has missed past two games; status to be determined Wednesday

Nov/22/06 09:43 AM
Ray Lewis appears closer to ending his two-game absence and playing in the Ravens' meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker sat out Sunday's 24-10 throttling of the Atlanta Falcons after undergoing minor surgery Thursday to drain blood from his bruised back.

But Ravens coach Brian Billick said he is hopeful that Lewis will play for the first time since getting hurt in a collision with free safety Ed Reed on Nov. 5.

R. Lewis appears closer to returning for Steelers game - After missing two games, linebacker moving better; Wilcox a concern

Nov/21/06 11:03 AM
Ray Lewis appears closer to ending his two-game absence and playing in the Ravens' meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker sat out Sunday's 24-10 throttling of the Atlanta Falcons after undergoing minor surgery Thursday to drain blood from his bruised back.

But Ravens coach Brian Billick said he is hopeful that Lewis will play for the first time since getting hurt in a collision with free safety Ed Reed on Nov. 5.

Injury roundup: Ravens' Ray Lewis ruled out for Atlanta game

Nov/18/06 02:03 AM
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens officially ruled out linebacker Ray Lewis for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons with a swollen back.

Lewis underwent a minor surgical procedure to have a pocket of blood drained from his back earlier this week.

The seven-time All-Pro will miss his second consecutive game. He severely bruised his back when he collided with teammate Ed Reed's knee in a Nov. 5 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Team officials are hopeful that the surgery will allow Lewis to play next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"The other guys have to step up," Ravens coach Brian Billick said on Friday. "You don't have that comfort zone of always leaning on Ray. They have to make sure they pick up that leadership role as well."

The Ravens (7-2) are preparing versatile outside linebacker/defensive end Jarret Johnson to start at inside linebacker with former practice squad member Dennis Haley filling in on obvious passing downs. Starting inside linebacker Bart Scott will move over to play Lewis' spot, with Johnson occupying Scott's normal position.

(usatoday.com)

The Gospel According to Ray Lewis, God's Linebacker

Nov/17/06 07:05 AM
Check out Sports Illustrated's Feature on Ray Lewis from the November 13, 2006 magazine. Click on the pictures to enlarge the article to read. Enjoy!

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R. Lewis has surgery for back injury - Procedure does not immediately rule LB out for Falcons game

Nov/16/06 11:45 AM
Ray Lewis underwent surgery to have blood in his back drained Wednesday, but the procedure doesn't immediately rule him out of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Lewis, who severely bruised his back on Nov. 5, is expected to remain questionable on Thursday's report. There is still some hope that Lewis could recover over the next couple of days to play, although that's probably optimistic.

With Lewis sidelined from practice, the Ravens have been using Jarret Johnson at inside linebacker.

If Lewis can't play Sunday, the Ravens hope Wednesday's procedure will allow him to play next week.

Coach Brian Billick addressed Lewis' condition in Monday's news conference, saying, "They've got to break that pool of blood that's moving around his back ... in whatever way they can. As I understand it, once that's released, he should be fine."

(baltimoresun.com)

R. Lewis game-time decision for Sunday against Titans

Nov/10/06 08:10 PM
Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis is considered a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, coach Brian Billick said today.

Lewis bruised his back Sunday and has missed every practice this week. Lewis said he expected to start earlier in the week, but he doesn't seem to have gotten his mobility back yet.

"Everything's [structurally] fine, but it's stiff," Billick said of Lewis' back. "It hurts."

Former Hurricane Lewis reflects on Miami tragedy

Nov/10/06 07:07 AM
BALTIMORE - Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said this week that he plans to reach out to current University of Miami football players in the wake of the shooting death of defensive tackle Bryan Pata.

Lewis, who played for the Hurricanes in 1993-95, called on other ex-players to take a bigger role in shaping the school’s football program.

Pata’s death Tuesday was just one in a series of negative, high-profile stories surrounding the national power. Three weeks ago, the team was involved in a bench-clearing brawl with Florida International that furthered perpetuated an outlaw image at the school.

R. Lewis, Reed sit out practice

Nov/10/06 12:23 AM
Middle linebacker Ray Lewis and free safety Ed Reed did not practice yesterday at the Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills and are questionable for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.

Lewis injured his back and Reed bruised his leg when the two collided on a fumble return that was eventually overturned during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 26-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Lewis shows his gentler side

Nov/09/06 08:23 AM
BALTIMORE - Ravens star Ray Lewis, the subject of a Sports Illustrated story this week detailing the complicated linebacker’s life and faith, spoke Wednesday about a series of issues.

“I think it’s just a lot of things that will help a lot of men that truly have struggles in life,” Lewis said, on why he did the magazine interview. “And maybe a lot of them won’t speak about it, but I think it will help and really enlighten a lot of people.”

In the story, Lewis revealed the emotional toll a fatherless childhood took on him and vividly recalled sobbing two years ago when his father, Ray Jackson, said he would meet Lewis. When Lewis arrived, Jackson said he was not coming.

The Gospel According to Ray Lewis

Nov/08/06 09:24 PM
In the next issue of Sports Illustrated, Ray Lewis is on the cover. Click on the link below to see pictures from the feature. Once the magazine hits the stands you will be able to find the article scanned here in its entiriety.

For now enjoy the pictures by clicking here.

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‘Friendly fire’ hit bothers Lewis

Nov/07/06 08:57 AM
BALTIMORE - Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis sat at his locker inside M&T Bank Stadium after Sunday’s game and kept rubbing his back. He was clearly in pain as, ever so slowly, he pulled himself up by the locker’s clothing rod.

He gingerly walked off to the showers and emerged a few minutes later. He dressed himself, put on his best smile and told the media about the bizarre confluence of events that led to his injury in the Ravens’ 26-20 win over the Bengals.

The Ravens thought they had come up with a fumble recovery, one that would eventually be reversed, on the play. Safety Ed Reed and Lewis collided. Reed’s leg was bruised, as was Lewis’ spine.

Chad Johnson wants a piece of Ray Lewis

Nov/01/06 08:20 PM
OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Chad Johnson issued a friendly warning to Ray Lewis on Wednesday, joking that when he faces the Baltimore Ravens linebacker Sunday he will "hit him in the mouth."

Johnson has 36 catches and two touchdowns for the Cincinnati Bengals, who need a victory in Baltimore to avoid falling two games behind the first-place Ravens in the AFC North.

Cincinnati swept the Ravens last year with the aid of Johnson's 10 receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown against cornerbacks Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister.

Look out for Lewis - New Orleans feeling impact of Baltimore linebacker

Oct/29/06 10:24 AM
Talk to almost anyone about the Baltimore Ravens’ rugged defense and it doesn’t take very long for the conversation to turn to one man in particular.

“It starts with No. 52,” New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister said of All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis, the heart and soul and unquestioned leader of the Ravens defense.

“When they’re able to protect him and let him make plays without getting double-teamed,” McAllister said, “and you can’t get a guard or fullback up on him, he’s going to make life hard for you.”

Lewis excited about chance to watch Peppers

Oct/14/06 10:37 AM
The Baltimore Ravens are accustomed to being around one of the NFL's truly great defensive players, middle linebacker Ray Lewis. They'll welcome another in that rare category Sunday -- Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers -- for what figures to be a defense-dominated game.

Lewis, who led Baltimore to a Super Bowl title during the 2000 season, marvels at the play this year of Peppers, who is tied for the league lead with six sacks and has put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Lewis said Peppers might be the most dominant player -- on offense or defense -- in the NFL.

Lewis upset to lose huge tackle Kemoeatu to Panthers

Oct/13/06 09:14 PM
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - As a run-stopping defensive tackle, Maake Kemoeatu stayed out of the headlines when he played in Baltimore. But when he left the Ravens to sign a five-year, $23 million free-agent deal with Carolina in the offseason, Ray Lewis was incensed.

"He loves the game, so anytime you lose someone like that it's a hurtful thing, especially at this point in my career," the seven-time Pro Bowl pick said this week. "His best football is in front of him because he is still learning so much."

Lewis will see Kemoeatu again Sunday when the Panthers visit Baltimore.

As middle managers, Lewis, Wilson are top tier

Oct/06/06 09:53 AM
ENGLEWOOD - Just try eliminating the middle man Monday.

In Al Wilson of Denver and Ray Lewis of Baltimore, NFL fans who tune in (6:30 p.m., CBS 4, ESPN) might be watching the two best middle linebackers in the game today.

"I certainly wouldn't argue with that," Ravens coach Brian Billick said Thursday.

Lewis is a seven-time Pro Bowl player and two-time Defensive Player of the Year since entering the league in 1996. Wilson, who broke in three years later, has been voted to the NFL's postseason all-star game four times in the past five seasons and attained All-Pro status in 2005.

Ray Lewis' Pre-Game Dance To Return Sunday Against Chargers

Sep/30/06 11:37 PM
Two weeks ago I wrote about how Ravens head coach Brian Billick was wondering how the team was going to handle pre-game introductions. On the one hand, the team had been introducing the entire team during the preseason just like the New England Patriots. On the other hand, the pre-game introduction of the defense had always seemed to amp up the home crowd at M&T Bank Stadium. So Billick split the difference, and the first team offense was introduced before the home opener against the Oakland Raiders. Starting quarterback Steve McNair got a lot of love when he was introduced last.
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Lewis, Merriman clash in Ravens-Chargers showdown

Sep/30/06 11:35 PM
BALTIMORE - Months before Shawne Merriman became a first-round NFL draft pick, Ray Lewis felt compelled to provide advice, encouragement and guidance to the budding star.

Lewis was watching his brother, running back Keon Lattimore, at a University of Maryland football game when he noticed Merriman, a defensive end who played with enthusiasm and tackled with authority.

"I took him under my wing. I kind of met him then, and from there, the relationship just actually blossomed," said Lewis, a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens. "He has the same kind of heart and the same kind of passion I do."

R. Lewis taps Tomlinson, not dance - Raven isn't focusing on his celebration

Sep/29/06 09:02 AM
During yesterday's practice, several Ravens players were questioning middle linebacker Ray Lewis about whether there will be any changes to his much-anticipated pre-game dance, which is expected to return Sunday after a yearlong hiatus.

Lewis' response: His attention has been on the moves of San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and not his own.

Lewis said he has been watching film of the Chargers from the moment he gets home until he goes to sleep. Though he'll typically split his time between dissecting the running back and quarterback, that's not the case this week with San Diego.

Fashion Trendsetters - College Edition (Ray Lewis)

Sep/28/06 02:24 PM
We don't want to say anything bad about Ray Lewis, but thankfully, the half-shirt look never caught on.

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LEWIS AND MERRIMAN FACE OFF

Sep/28/06 02:06 PM
Ray Lewis and Shawne Merriman get to state their case for the AFC's best defence on Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens host the San Diego Chargers in a battle of unbeaten teams.

Led by Lewis at middle linebacker, the Ravens have allowed a total of 20 points and recorded 16 sacks in their first three games.

With Merriman creating havoc from his outside linebacker spot, the Chargers have yielded just seven points and registered nine sacks in two games.

Lewis pumped about collision of unbeatens

Sep/28/06 08:15 AM
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, healthy and playing as well this season as he has in a while, is excited about Sunday's game, a matchup between two of the league's seven remaining unbeaten teams and the two top defenses.

“It's one of those games,” Lewis said yesterday. “The National Football League doesn't get any better than this. This is one of those games you sit home and say, 'Can I play in that game one day?' You're talking about LaDainian Tomlinson to Keenan McCardell to Antonio Gates to Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Adalius Thomas, Shawne Merriman, it goes on and on with big-name players who are going to be facing each other, going at it head to head. So this is one of those games where legends are made. If you want your name, this is where you grab it from, right here.”

Anyone Want to Trade Ray Lewis Now?

Sep/20/06 05:45 PM
Linebacker Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens' defense dominated for the second straight game on Sunday.

If six sacks and six turnovers weren't enough to make fans feel good about the 2006 edition of the Ravens' defense did not allow a first down in either first quarter.

Throughout the off-season there was plenty of talk by fans and the media about trading Lewis because he was unhappy and had lashed out at the organization after a disappointing 6-10 season. Everyone was questioning Lewis. Was he anywhere near the player he had been in previous seasons? Perhaps his unhappiness showed it was time for him to move on.

Lewis' return rejuvenates Ravens

Sep/17/06 10:42 AM
Coaches find great comfort in knowing a player is going to be at the same spot in the lineup game after game. Baltimore Ravens Coach Brian Billick grew accustomed to having Ray Lewis at middle linebacker just about every game in 1999-2004.

Lewis' constant presence helped provide the leadership, stability and playmaking that made the Ravens' defense one of the best each season. Players fed off Lewis' boundless energy and penchant for delivering game-altering plays.

Lewis' value to the Ravens crystallized when injuries caused him to miss 10 of his team's 16 games last season. He now is healthy again and at the heart of a Ravens defense that bears a familiar look from past years, though many faces have changed.

Baltimore's Lewis hasn't lost his edge

Sep/16/06 11:16 AM
Go ahead: You be the one to tell Ray Lewis he's done, finished, over.

"I wonder if most of the people can really explain what it is a person lost," Lewis said in a conference call.

He's a 31-year-old Ravens linebacker, an age considered up there in both dog years and NFL life spans.

"It doesn't look like he's missed a step," Raiders coach Art Shell said.

He missed 10 games last season with a torn hamstring that demanded season-ending surgery. Such procedures can downsize football-playing patients into half the brutes they used to be.

Lewis Back, Ravens a Contender

Sep/15/06 09:13 AM
It is amazing how much the first game of the season can change the outlook for a football team. Truths hidden under the tedium and pointlessness of the preseason are suddenly and dramatically revealed in Game 1.

Sunday's Bucs-Ravens game revealed several vulnerabilities of the Bucs, starting with the failure of quarterback Chris Simms to adjust to pass rushers with their arms up. Just as disturbing was the demonstration that the defense, ranked first in the NFL a year ago, can be pushed around by a powerful offensive line equipped with two tight ends.

But the opener revealed even more about Baltimore, whose 27-0 victory changed the outlook of the entire AFC.

Five days ago, the Ravens were regarded as a middle-of-the-pack team with an aging core, outclassed in their own division by the Steelers and Bengals.

A healthy Ray Lewis was a big hit for Ravens

Sep/15/06 08:16 AM
Deep in Baltimore Ravens ' territory, the pass from Tampa Bay QB Chris Simms hit Michael Pittman on the numbers last Sunday. A nano-second later, so did Ray Lewis.

It was one of those collisions that Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan calls "Oooh-ee!" hits. Pittman was lifted off the turf as if yanked by invisible wires and deposited on his back. Hard. The football, of course, went elsewhere.

All across America, viewers sitting on couches -- including the CBS national television crew -- shook their heads and muttered, "Oh, man!"

Ray Lewis was back.

Ray Lewis Named Def. Player of the Week

Sep/12/06 05:45 PM
Some pundits harbored doubts about Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis as the 11-year veteran came off a season-ending injury in 2005. Could he return to his dominant Super Bowl form in 2000? Will he be at full-strength?

Honored as the NFL's AFC Defensive Player of the Week performance in Week 1's 27-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lewis should be the one asking, "Any more questions?"

The seven-time Pro Bowler was all over the field in his debut, showing no ill effects from a serious hamstring tear that required surgery last year. According to coaches' film, he posted 10 tackles (seven solo), three passes defensed and one jarring sack (nine-yard loss) of Bucs quarterback Chris Simms.

"There had to be some apprehension and I think he laid that to rest, even for himself," said Ravens head coach Brian Billick. "Any hesitation [was dismissed], if there was any at all, that he is ready to go."

Lewis Makes Winning Return

Sep/11/06 09:19 AM
TAMPA - Ray Lewis' children grabbed the newspaper Sunday morning and could hardly contain their excitement.

Their father not only was returning to the Tampa Bay area, where the Ravens linebacker is the pride and joy of Lakeland, but also to Raymond James Stadium, where dad was named Super Bowl MVP in 2001.

"This stadium has been good to me. I will never complain about my record here in the stadium, but more importantly, I would never complain about doing what I did in front of my kids [Sunday]. My three boys were here. They picked up the paper, and they were all getting involved in it, and I told them that daddy is going to do what daddy does," Lewis said.

Brooks helped Lewis rejuvenate his passion for football

Sep/10/06 06:38 PM
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - One is the heart and soul of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the other is the face of the Baltimore Ravens.

Derrick Brooks and Ray Lewis also are close friends who inspire each other with tenacious play and an unwavering commitment to winning. And no disrespect to anyone else, both feel discussions about who's the top linebacker in the NFL should begin - and end - with them.

"Some of his friends think I'm the best. Some of my friends think he's better than me," Brooks said, a smile spreading across his face. "We get a kick out of that.

"We appreciate each other's game. I'm a fan of his and he's a fan of mine."

Ray Lewis Exudes Passion, Confidence

Aug/25/06 07:02 PM
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis talks passionately about his desire to win and trying to create a better team atmosphere this year. Vikings fans will get a chance to see if his leadership is effective Friday night.

Playing his first game in 10 months, linebacker Ray Lewis appeared stronger and faster than last season despite having a torn hamstring repaired in December.

“When you go through surgery, everyone looks at the pain,” said Lewis, who missed the final 10 games because of that injury and was inactive for the preseason opener. “They don’t look at the recovery and how much your body rests.”

Endurance has become an issue with Lewis, who has failed to finish two of the past four seasons.