Twitter and Facebook have been blowing up the past month during and after every Ravens game. It’s not because football fans are expressing their excitement over the game, or even their distaste for the Baltimore team. Instead I see dozens of posts every week from people bashing Ray Lewis.
The soon-to-be-retired linebacker has gained a lot of controversy since the incident in Atlanta in 2000. Lewis was accused of murder, but was never proven guilty. Since then, he has worked things out with the victims’ families, and he has severely turned his life around. Today he is one of the most respected men in Baltimore, as well as the NFL as an organization.
However, people seem to not be able to let things go. I see posts from people as crazy as demanding he be taken off the roster. Personally, I have gotten into arguments with people over this issue. A friend of mine even went as far as comparing him to OJ Simpson. The difference? Simpson has done nothing to clean up his life. Since he was found not guilty in his case, he has not done much to prove he is a good person. Not too long ago, Simpson found himself in more legal issues.
Lewis has become a part of the city of Baltimore, and has become an essential part of his team. Well known for his motivational speeches, Lewis pushes his team to keep fighting. The support he has received from his teammates and his city is quite incredible.
After announcing his retirement at the end of this season, his teammates spoke out about the legend. Ray Rice tweeted, “Baltimore is Ray Lewis.”
Torrey Smith tweeted, “Had to watch Big Ray announce his retirement… it has been amazing to play with him… We need to take care of business for him and our city.”
Fellow defensive player, Terrell “Sizzle” Suggs said, “It’s amazing and it’s sad all at the same time.”
[caption id="attachment_247" align="alignleft" width="275" caption="An emotional Ray Lewis. Posted by the Washington Post"]
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Perhaps the only thing that has annoyed me more than the “murderer” attacks on Lewis, are the complaints about his emotions. As someone who has been in the league for 17 years, and has been a Raven the whole time, can you really blame him for being emotional?
Since he was unsure what would happen this season, he treated each game as if it was his last. Any player that has been in the game that long, and with the same city that long, knows that feeling. It is something none of us will understand.
This past weekend, Saturday Night Live poked fun at Lewis’ emotions in quite a humorous. Keenan Thompson even got up and did the famous Ray Lewis entrance dance.
I know this Sunday both social networking websites will be as cruel as ever. I plan on avoiding them as much as possible.
Ravens fan, or not there is no denying that Ray Lewis is a legend. Several of my friends that are Steelers fans have even admitted to me that they will cheer for the Ravens just for him. I know I will be watching as a Ravens fan second, and as a Ray Lewis fan first.
No matter the outcome Sunday night, Lewis has left his mark on the NFL. Not as a murderer, or as an emotional baby as I’ve heard people say. His mark will be as one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history, as well as one of the best team players of all time. He doesn’t just play for the Ravens. He plays for the city of Baltimore, and for that, Ray, we thank you. From all of the Baltimore fans, we thank you.
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