Show the hover layer initially. In the span of a year, Ray Lewis has gone from Super Bowl sideshow to Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. Standing atop the Super Bowl winners' celebratory stage Sunday night, the same player who oftentimes found himself vilified, testified to a faith in his maker and his team. And that's why I'm sitting up here now. There's a reason why just seven defenders now have been selected most valuable player in 35 Super Bowls.
Voters usually lean toward tangible statistical factors from the big game's offensive stars.
The NFL Defensive Player of the Year didn't intercept a pass or return a fumble for a touchdown. The select panel of voters and Internet voters simply recognized that he was the heart, soul, and leader of perhaps the best defensive unit and performance in Super Bowl history. And in accordance with his role, Lewis evoked confidence during his postgame press conference. That's not boasting. If you give us ten points, game over.