Ravens' Lewis discusses future, 'Godfather' role, dancing

Sep/16/08 09:48 PM Filed in: Ray Lewis
RayLewis
The October issue of Men’s Fitness magazine features a profile of Ravens’ linebacker Ray Lewis and the magazine has sent out some advance Lewis quotes from the story.

In the piece, Baltimore's No. 52 tells the magazine several things local fans have heard before, plus the fact that he’d like to play four or five more years saying he would like them to be as a Raven.

Here are some excerpts from the piece supplied by the magazine.

This apparently is Lewis reflecting on being in the final year of a seven-year contract.

“I respect the business but when I dedicate my life to this organization, the saddest question I've ever had to answer is, Am I going to be a Raven? Job wise, you don't play with somebody like that. But it's about football now. If you get caught up in [the business] you get too sour. Bottom line is, I'm going to play four or five more years. But I'm a Raven. I bleed purple.”

On mentoring younger teammates and opponents (he was recently credited for providing counsel to the Bengals’ Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson.

“A lot of them call me the Godfather. They ask you certain things and they're craving [knowledge]. A man's pride sometimes gets in the way. But when you see another man go through adversity, you're able to step back and realize, Hey, I can learn something from that guy.”

On his pre-game dances during player introductions.

“When I'm doing all that [dancing], that's me looking at God and saying how amazing He is. It's His stage. For me to walk out of that tunnel and give somebody hope, that's Him. So when you see me make that cross, and then I come out, that's blessing them. …. I'm thinking, This is another freaking opportunity, right now. Do not cheat this moment.”

(baltimoresun.com)