Ray Lewis to get a street in Baltimore named after him

Taking a page out of Green Bay's book with its Lombardi Avenue, Reggie White Way and Brett Favre(notes) Pass, the city of Baltimore will be renaming a city street "Ray Lewis Way."

The ceremony will take place on Tuesday with Lewis, Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on hand. They'll be renaming part of Baltimore's North Avenue.

The choice of location is slightly odd -- something like this usually happens around the stadium, where sports fans will have more of a chance to appreciate it. But North Avenue is where Ray Lewis'(notes) charitable foundation hosts an annual Thanksgiving giveaway, so it's certainly appropriate, too.

Also on the plus side for the location, North Avenue is nowhere near the Baltimore County Courthouse, so even if Ray's new street has to undergo massive construction, Ray Lewis Way can never obstruct justice.

Okay, I'm sorry about that. Forgive me. But there is likely to be some debate about the decision (or at least a parade of jokes), given Ray Lewis's involvement -- whatever it may have been -- in a double murder back in 2000. Lewis ended up pleading guilty to obstruction of justice.
Since then, Lewis has made himself a Baltimore hero, on and off the field. You know of his greatness on the gridiron, and you probably know of his many charitable acts, too.

Does he deserve the considerable honor of a street named after him? Who's to say? Certainly not me. It's not my city, it's not my street and it's probably unlikely that I'll ever set foot on Ray Lewis Way. If the people of Baltimore are behind the idea, I say knock yourselves out. Congratulations, Ray.

Click here to order Ray Lewis' proCane Rookie Card.



(sports.yahoo.com)