Retired Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis is among a group of 16 current and former NFL players who are suing BB&T Bank for nearly $60 million in alleged investment losses.

The Baltimore Sun has obtained a copy of the lawsuit, which was first reported by Yahoo! Sports. The lawsuit alleges that Lewis, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year who retired following the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII victory in February, lost $3.778 million.

Lewis' agent, David Dunn, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

In addition to Lewis, former Ravens linebacker Tavares Gooden allegedly lost $515,000 through an unauthorized bank transfer, according to the lawsuit.
Several NFL players are accusing the bank of allowing disgraced financial advisor Jeff Rubin and his former firm, Pro Sports Financial, to open accounts in their names and place tens of millions of dollars in unauthorized investments. The majority of the money went to a failed casino bingo project in Alabama that was deemed illegal under Alabama law in July of 2012.

"While we have not had the opportunity to review the allegations in detail, we understand this case concerns actions taken by BankAtlantic prior to its acquisition by BB&T in 2012," David R. White, BB&T's vice president of corporate communications, told Yahoo. "Because this is pending litigation, we cannot comment further."  

Rubin, whose firm provided financial-related services to professional athletes, has since been banned from the securities industry.

The other NFL players who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit and the money allegedly lost by each individual includes: former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jamaal Anderson ($5.813 million), former St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans offensive guard Jacob Bell $3.339 million), former wide receiver Derrick Gaffney (2.295 million), San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore ($8.745 million), New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes ($1.159 million), linebacker Greg Jones $2.006 million), former Titans and Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse ($7.958 million), former Washington Redskins defensive end Kenard Lang ($1.648 million), Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather ($3.645 million), Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss ($4.852 million), former Redskins running back Clinton Portis ($3.136 million), former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard ($5.011 million), former Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots running back Fred Taylor ($2.993 million) and former Cleveland Browns and Patriots defensive tackle Gerard Warren ($3 million).

The lawsuit alleges that BB&T developed a "close business relationship with Pro Sports, Rubin and other Pro Sports employees," including a special division "dedicated to targeting and servicing athletes and others in the sports industry,"

According to the lawsuit, Pro Sports deposited tens of millions of dollars of the plaintiffs' money in BB&T accounts opened and maintained in the plaintiffs' names with "illegitimate accounts that were opened with signature cards containing signatures that were forged by Pro Sports’ employees."

"After the monies were deposited, BB&T allowed numerous unusual, suspicious and extraordinary withdrawals from accounts opened in the name of each plaintiff that were neither within the scope of the service identified in the client services agreement nor authorized by the plaintiff in whose name the account was opened," the lawsuit alleges. "BB&T had actual knowledge that certain transactions on the plaintiffs’ accounts were unauthorized and exceeded the scope of the plaintiffs’ client service agreements with Pro Sports."

Former Ravens cornerback Duane Starks also had a relationship with Rubin’s firm.


(baltimoresun.com)

Teddy Atkins had a huge night on defense with six tackles, three for loss, an interception and a sack for a safety to lead Wekiva to a 30-0 victory over Jones (0-1).

Deandre Fair came up with two rushing scores for the Mustangs (1-0). Yawn Coleman had a 45-yard scoring reception.

"I feel great for Wekiva," Wekiva coach Kenard Lang said. "This is a great way to start and get the ball moving in the right direction. Tonight we showed great effort and focus from beginning to end."


(orlandosentinel.com)

APOPKA — As a group of freshmen walked by new Wekiva football coach Kenard Lang during orientation, Lang noticed a tall, muscular student.

"Why aren't you out for football?" Lang said.

Lang told the student to have a physical taken and come out to practice. Wekiva athletic director Lamarr Glenn calls Lang's process of roaming the school searching for prospective players "cleaning the halls."

Mustangs fans will be overjoyed if Lang does for them what he did for Jones — take a team down on its luck and transform it into a perennial playoff contender. Entering its seventh season, Wekiva has won less than 30 percent (17-43) of its games.

"We are really lucky this year to have coach Lang," junior quarterback Bart Bell said. "To be coached by someone with all his experience, you know you are getting good coaching.

"We are more into it this year. He is inspiring us."

Lang, 38, has been synonymous with success since shining as a player at Evans. He was part of a state championship team with the Trojans, then became a standout defensive end at the University of Miami before a 10-year NFL career with the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos.

He was 30-25 in five seasons at Jones, leading the Tigers to the playoffs four times.

"I remember a couple of years before my playing career was over and thinking [Wekiva] would be a great place to coach," Lang said. "But they opened and had to hire someone else.

"I consider myself lucky that when the position became open this time that everything went smoothly during the hiring process between the administration and myself."

Wekiva finished 2-8 last season, and since the school on North Hiawassee Road opened, its best record was 6-5 in 2011.

Lang is more concerned with where the Mustangs are headed, though, and he would like to get there in a gallop. To do that, he brought Charlie Frye, his offensive coordinator at Jones, with him. Frye, a former NFL quarterback, broke 54 school records at Akron.

Max Purcell, a longtime offensive line coach at Evans, also was added to Wekiva's staff.

The Mustangs are expected to receive a big boost from fullback Deondre Fair, who rushed for 885 yards and 13 touchdowns at Lake Brantley in 2012. Other potential starters include Apopka transfers Jermaine Grace and Richard Hanks, both defensive backs, and former Agape Christian linebacker-running back Anthony Honor.

"I see this as the start of something new," said Kaevon McCray, president of Wekiva's athletic boosters. "Everything starts somewhere. I can see us winning more games. We are very fortunate to get Kenard.

"The attitude of the boys is different. It is like they are really cool playing for Wekiva, and that wasn't the way it always was."

(orlandosentinel.com)

Kenard Lang is one of those guys who, as the cliché goes, has football in his blood. Not only did he play defensive end for the University of Miami, on a defense that included future HOFers like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, but he also carved out an 11-year career in the NFL. There, he amassed 50 career sacks while playing for the Broncos, Browns and Redskins. Now Lang is a high school football coach in Orlando and for Nike Football Training Camps and Combines. He also devotes a large portion of his time to his foundation, which helps support families and individuals affected by cancer (we strongly encourage you to check it out).

Lang was kind enough to speak to TDdaily over the phone earlier this month. Interested in hearing about the University of Miami player who once ripped Ray Lewis’ facemask off of his helmet, or what goes through the mind of a defensive end as he’s about to attack an opposing quarterback? Keep reading and you can find out.
 * * *
TDdaily: So you’re now coaching football at Wekiva High School in Orlando. How’d that come about?
Kenard Lang: I’ve always been interested in coaching. In the NFL I was always like the ” team captain” whenever we had like camp or OTAs or anything like that. A lot of times I was in charge of talking to the rookies and teaching them what to do and how to play. From that point on I knew that if my NFL coaches could trust me to talk to and teach the rookies, well then, I had the ability to work with high school kids as well.

TD: Who are some younger players you worked with in the NFL?
KL: Elvis Dumervil was one guy I worked with a lot in Denver when I was in Denver. When he came in, coach kind of put me in charge of working with him and talking to him and teaching him. I talked to him about like different techniques, how to play, and the philosophy of being a professional football player. I would also help translate things the coaches would say.

TD: Got any examples?
KL:I guess as far as like downs and distance. He might have some pass rush move that might work, but some might take longer than others, so, for example, say it’s like a spin move and you’re a defensive end. The only time that spin move will work on a quarterback is if he’s in a seven-step drop and not a three-step one. So in a three-step drop, you’re better off using something like a quick power rip. That’s some of the kind of stuff I would talk to him, and other young guys about. Things like understanding down and distance.

TD: If the pass rush move you plan on using something decided before the play, or is it more instinctual?
KL: Well it depends on how you rush the passer. How you played the guy previously. When you rush as a defensive end, you’re like a pitcher in baseball—everything you do should look the same like how a pitcher throws a fast ball and change up. You have to make the different moves start from a similar looking positions. So the thought process is to always have a primary move planned out, but you should also be ready to go to your secondary move if your first move is stopped

TD: You played on some terrible teams in the NFL, like the Cleveland Browns. This might be a silly question, but how hard was that? How much does that wear on you?
KL: In football it’s almost like a double-edged sword. Everything you do is for the team and about the team, and a team is what wins or loses. But you also have to make sure you take care of your job. You don’t really have to be selfish you just have to make sure you take care of your part. But when you start losing, that’s when the professional side comes out of you. So even if you know this team isn’t going to win, you have a contract you have to abide by and you have to go out there and perform to your fullest. You know, that’s your job.

TD: You played for a lot of big-name coaches. Who was you favorite  to play for?
KL: I would probably say my favorite coach I played for was Marty Schottenheimer. I also loved playing for Romeo Crennel. I’d have to throw in Butch Davis, too. Those three.

TD: I’m surprised to hear you say Romeo Crennel since he really wasn’t so successful.
KL: I just enjoyed playing for him. I enjoyed his coaching philosophy and mind set.

TD: Which is or was?
KL: All of them are different. Marty Schottenheimer was more of the philosopher. He dealt a lot with the big picture. For example, of the things I remember to this day that he would say is “Before you make a decision you control it, but once you make it—it controls you.” And what he meant by that is a lot of people can deal with the decisions they make, but the problem is they probably can’t deal with the consequences that comes with those decisions. If you can’t deal with the consequence then don’t make that decision.

TD: You played for some great, and interesting, University of Miami teams. What was that experience like?
KL: I loved it. The University of Miami changed the whole game of college football, and I think professional football too. The whole idea of a 4-3 defense with athletic defensive ends and Mike linebackers who could run sideline to sideline. Just look at the guys who were on that defense—they all are the standard and who new guys get compared to when talking about greatness at their positions. Warren Sapp changed the way the “Three-Technique” was played. Ray Lewis is the guy at middle linebacker. Ed Reed at safety. Our teams were full of Hall of Famers.

TD: What are your favorite stories from your days at The U? 
KL: For me, Two memories come to mind. One is when we lost to Nebraska my freshman year in the National Championship game. We had that game won and let it slip away. The second one is when we played Florida State on ESPN on Saturday night in 1994. That game was probably the most exiting, lively game I’ve ever played in, and that includes my NFL days. It was just an awesome atmosphere. It was unbelievable. There’s nothing like playing in the Orange Bowl.

TD: Those teams were known for having a bunch of crazy guys. Who was the craziest teammate you ever had?
KL: KC Jones, our center. He was unstable but you loved him anyway. He was one of those guys you loved to play with and hated to play against. One time we had a scrimmage and he and Ray Lewis got into a fight. KC pulled the facemask off Ray’s helmet.


(tddaily.co)

The Redskins’ first-round draft choices during the first three seasons of the salary cap era were disasters.

Quarterback Heath Shuler (third overall, 1994) was better at passing bills as a member of Congress than he was at passing footballs. Receiver Michael Westbrook (fourth overall, 1995) was most famous for beating up teammate Stephen Davis during a 1997 practice. And offensive tackle Andre Johnson (30th overall, 1996) was so bad that he never played a snap for Washington.

But with top defensive lineman Sean Gilbert threatening to hold out – which he would do all season — general manager Charley Casserly was smart with the 17th pick in the 1997 draft, choosing Miami defensive end Kenard Lang.

“A lean, mean sacking machine,” Lang said the other day with a chuckle from Orlando where he coaches the football team at Wekiva High.

While Lang was no Hall of Fame cinch like Casserly’s last first-rounder, cornerback Champ Bailey (seventh overall, 1999), he did record 50 sacks during his 10 NFL seasons, the first five of which were in Washington. The Redskins, who had been 31-49 during the five years before Lang’s arrival, were 40-39-1 during his tenure and 33-47 during the five years after his departure for Cleveland as a free agent following the 2001 season.

A reliable performer at tackle and end, upon signing with the Browns, Lang was described by ESPN.com’s Len Pasquarelli as “one of the most sought-after players” on the market. And although he played at “The U” which had some less than sterling characters, Lang was always a solid citizen, which foreshadowed his move from wearing cleats to leading young men.

“Coaching was in my blood because my dad [Calvin] coached [high school] basketball and football, but I didn’t really think about it until near the end of my career,” said Lang, whose brother, uncle and cousin have also coached in Florida high schools and colleges. “If we had a young guy come in, my [position] coaches Andre Patterson and Jacob Burney [now with Washington] would put him in my hands. For my coaches to trust me like that to do the right thing, that was the ultimate respect. And I always loved kids so I knew I could be a coach.”

Lang began his coaching career as an assistant at Edgewater High in his native Orlando in 2007, the same year that he finished his sociology degree. He became the head coach across town at Jones High the next year. The Tigers, who had been 1-9 in 2007, were 30-25 under Lang with four playoff appearances. And now he takes on another major challenge at Wekiva, which was 1-9 last season and is 18-43 during its six-year history.

“I like teaching kids the fundamentals of football, the joy of making your parents proud of you for doing the right thing and what life is really about,” said Lang, who has also worked in vocational education and as an adviser to troubled students.

Like tight end Jordan Reed, whom Washington selected in the third round last week, Lang didn’t expect to be selected by the Redskins 16 years ago, but he’s glad that he was. And he has some advice for cornerback David Amerson, Washington’s top choice.

“If I recall right, the teams that had talked to me the most were the Jets, the Giants, Cincinnati and Baltimore so when the Redskins picked me, I was kinda surprised, but I was happy,” Lang said. “I expected to go in the first round, but I didn’t worry about being a first-round pick. I could have been a free agent or a first-rounder, I still would’ve put the same amount of pressure on myself to do the right thing.”

The first major right thing that Lang did on the field for the Redskins was when he teamed with linebacker Marvcus Patton to force a fumble in overtime in the 1997 home opener.

“My favorite memory in Washington is when we won our first home game in the new stadium against Arizona,” said Lang, who keeps in touch with ex-teammates Shawn Barber, Marco Coleman and N.D. Kalu. “We went to overtime, they fumbled and Gus [Frerotte] threw a touchdown to Michael Westbrook. I liked playing in Washington. I just wish I could’ve finished my career there. I guess ownership didn’t want me. What they offered me [as a free agent] was nowhere close to what other teams offered me.”

But if Lang hadn’t gone to Cleveland, he wouldn’t have met his wife Meredith, a boot camp instructor, nor had their daughters Aubrey, 4, and Mia, 2.
And for all he has accomplished on the field including starting all 16 games during his final NFL season in Denver under current Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, Lang is more proud of having gone back to school to earn his degree 10 years after he left.

“It was kind of difficult getting back in the swing of things for the first month, but after that, it was like riding a bicycle,” said the 38-year-old Lang, who hasn’t worn a uniform in more than six years although he’s just four months older than current Redskins captain London Fletcher. “Physically, I can’t play football any more, but the degree I’ll have for life.”


(cbs.local.com)