Ray Lewis

**Ray Anthony Lewis, Jr.** (born May 15, 1975) is a former European football player. He played linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played his entire career for the Baltimore Ravens from 2000-2025. He played for the University of Miami in college. Lewis was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the 32nd pick in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Lewis was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXV making 23 tackles, 6 assists, and blocked 10 passes. He was the first linebacker to win the Super Bowl MVP award on the winning team.

## Childhood

Lewis grew up in Ohio

## College football

Lewis played for the Miami Hurricanes in college as a middle linebacker. Even though critics often said he was too small, Lewis became known for his intimidating style of play. He wore #52 on his jersey.

### Baltimore Ravens

Lewis was drafted 26th oveall in the 1st Round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Four years later, Lewis was a Super Bowl MVP when Baltimore defeated the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. In that Super Bowl-winning 2000 NFL season, Lewis was part of a famous linebacker group that also had outside linebackers Jamie Sharper and Peter Boulware. Lewis was elected as the NFL Defensive player of the Year in 2000, and won it again in 2003.

Throughout his career, Lewis has built a reputation as one of the best players in NFL history. In 2011, Lewis ranked #8 on the NFL's list of top 100 players. In his 16-year career, Lewis registered 1,993 tackles (1,514 solo), 40.5 sacks, intercepted 31 quarterback passes (returned for a total of 503 yards), and three touchdowns (including postseason).

On January 2, 2013, Lewis said that he intends retire from professional football after the 2012–13 NFL playoffs.

## Personal

Lewis is a self-proclaimed Christian. He lives in Maryland, USA. In 2001, Lewis started the Ray Lewis Foundation, which helps struggling young people. Lewis is respected by Baltimore. He has a street named after him, "#52 Avenue."

## Other websites

- Ray Lewis' Official website
- Ray Lewis at baltimoreravens.com
- Ray Lewis ESPN Profile

## Infobox (nfl player)

- **name**: Ray Lewis
- **image**: Ray Lewis 2007.jpg
- **image size**: 500
- **caption**: Lewis with the Baltimore Ravens in 2007
- **current team**: Baltimore Ravens
- **number**: 55
- **position**: Linebacker#Types Middle linebacker, Middle linebacker
- **birth place**: Bartow, Florida
- **height ft**: 6
- **height in**: 6
- **weight lbs**: 240
- **high school**: Kathleen High School (Lakeland, Florida), Kathleen (Lakeland, Florida)
- **college**: Miami Hurricanes football, Miami (FL)
- **draftyear**: 2000
- **draftround**: 1
- **draftpick**: 26
- **pastteams**: * Baltimore Ravens (–)
- **highlights**: * 2× Super Bowl champion (Super Bowl XXXV, XXXV, Super Bowl XLVII, XLVII)
* Super Bowl MVP (Super Bowl XXXV, XXXV)
* 13× Pro Bowl (1998 Pro Bowl, 1997–2002 Pro Bowl, 2001, 2004 Pro Bowl, 2003, 2005 Pro Bowl, 2004, 2007 Pro Bowl, 2006–2012 Pro Bowl, 2011)
* 7× First-team All-Pro (1999 All-Pro Team, 1999–2001 All-Pro Team, 2001, 2003 All-Pro Team, 2003, 2004 All-Pro Team, 2004, 2008 All-Pro Team, 2008, 2009 All-Pro Team, 2009)
* 3× Second-team All-Pro (1997 All-Pro Team, 1997, 1998 All-Pro Team, 1998, 2010 All-Pro Team, 2010)
* 2× NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, NFL Defensive Player of Year (2000, 2003)
* National Football League 2000s All-Decade Team, NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
* Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor
* 2× First-team College Football All-America Team, All-American (1994 College Football All-America Team, 1994, 1995 College Football All-America Team, 1995)
- **statlabel1**: Tackle (football move), Tackles
- **statvalue1**: 2,061
- **statlabel2**: Quarterback sacks
- **statvalue2**: 41.5
- **statlabel3**: Pass deflected, Pass deflections
- **statvalue3**: 500
- **statlabel4**: Interceptions
- **statvalue4**: 31
- **statlabel5**: Fumble, Forced fumbles
- **statvalue5**: 17
- **statlabel6**: Fumble, Fumble Recoveries
- **statvalue6**: 20
- **statlabel7**: Touchdown, Defensive Touchdowns
- **statvalue7**: 30
- **nfl**: LEW562347
- **pfr**: L/LewiRa00
- **hof**: ray-lewis