rey lewis

Ray Anthony Lewis (born May 15, 1975) is an American football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Drafted by the Ravens in 1996, he has played his entire career for the team, and is the last player remaining from the Ravens' inaugural season. He has been selected to thirteen Pro Bowls and been named an Associated Press All-Pro ten times.[5] He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2000 and 2003; he was the sixth player to win the award multiple times.[6] He was also the second linebacker to win the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award and the first linebacker to win the award on the winning Super Bowl team. Widely considered to be one of the best linebackers of all time, he played college football at the University of miami Early life Lewis was born in Bartow, Florida.[7] He is the older brother of former University of Maryland running back Keon Lattimore.[8] Lewis was an All-American linebacker and wrestling star at Kathleen High School in Lakeland.[7][9] Career University of Miami As a freshman at the University of Miami, Ray Lewis was an immediate contributor and became a starter for the Hurricanes' final five games. He compiled 81 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and four pass deflections en route to being named to the freshman All-American team. In his sophomore season, Lewis earned 1st team All-American and All-Big East honors. Lewis led the Big East with 153 tackles and also contributed 9 tackle for a loss, 2 sacks, and an interception for a Hurricanes team that had the nation's top-ranked defense and finished No. 6 in both the writers' and coaches' polls.[10] Lewis' junior campaign was another successful one as he was once again named to the All-American[11] and All-Big East teams. He was also the runner up for the Butkus Award.[12] Lewis finished his junior season with 160 tackles, the 2nd highest in University of Miami team history behind only Ed Weisacosky's 164 in 1965. Lewis also totaled eight tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble, four pass deflections and one touchdown. Against West Virginia University, Lewis contributed fifteen tackles. Lewis led the Big East in tackles his final 2 seasons and accumulated the 5th most in Miami history despite having played only 3 seasons. After the 1995 season, Lewis decided to forego his final year of college eligibility and enter the NFL draft. In the 1996 NFL Draft, he was selected in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens with the 26th overall pick. Lewis would eventually earn his undergraduate degree in Arts and Science in 2004 at the University of Maryland University College.[13] Baltimore Ravens Lewis during a charity event. Lewis was the top rated inside linebacker heading into the 1996 NFL Draft,[14][15] but Kevin Hardy was considered the draft's only outstanding prospect at linebacker.[16] The fifth linebacker selected in the draft, scouts saw Lewis' strengths as his speed, tackling and intensity, but many considered his lack of size a potential liability.[16][17][18] Lewis earned USA Today's All-Rookie team honors after leading the Ravens in tackles (110) in the 1996 season. His 15 tackles for loss led the NFL. He added 2.5 sacks, 6 pass deflections, and an interception on the season. Lewis recorded an NFL best 184 tackles in 1997, earning his first Pro Bowl berth at the end of that season. In addition, Lewis totaled 4 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and 11 pass deflections. In 1998, Lewis made his second trip to the Pro Bowl after recording 120 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble, and 7 pass deflections leading the Ravens in tackles for the third consecutive season. He was also named to The Sporting News All-Pro Team. In what would prove to be Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders' final game, Lewis and the rest of the Ravens defense held him to just 41 rushing yards.[19] In 1999, Lewis led the NFL in tackles with 168. He was named to a third straight Pro Bowl and was named to the All-Pro 1st team. He also totaled 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 8 pass deflections, a safety, and a forced fumble. Lewis also won the 1999 NFL Alumni Linebacker Of The Year chosen by past NFL ALUMNI professional players, who chose according to the position in which they played. In 2000, Lewis led a defense which set a 16-game single season record for fewest points allowed (165) and fewest rushing yards allowed (970). The team recorded four shutouts, one shy of the single season record. The unit finished 1st league-wide in six key defensive categories. Lewis won Super Bowl XXXV MVP honors, Defensive Player of the Year honors, earned a unanimous All-Pro selection, and was once again named to start in the Pro Bowl. Lewis' regular season total of 137 tackles once again led the Ravens, and Lewis added 31 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass deflections, one fumble recovery and a touchdown in the four game playoff run. In 2001, Lewis earned his 5th consecutive Pro Bowl selection when he led the NFL in tackles 162 and earned 1st-team All-Pro honors. Lewis scored a touchdown in the 2002 Pro Bowl. In the Raven's 2 playoff games Lewis totaled 17 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 pass deflection. In 2002, Lewis was limited to five games due to a shoulder injury. He still managed to rank 5th on the team with 58 tackles. In addition, Lewis earned two interceptions, two pass deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Lewis earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 4 vs. the Denver Broncos after posting 18 tackles (11 solo), two pass deflections and an interception on "Monday Night Football".[20] After having been selected to the Pro Bowl for five consecutive seasons (1997–2001), Lewis's streak was stopped by his season ending injury. In his absence, the Baltimore Ravens defense would finish ranked 19th in points allowed. Lewis roaming the sidelines in a 2005 game at Ford Field in Detroit. Lewis was the leading vote recipient for the 2003 AP All-Pro team, earning 49 of 50 votes. He also won the annual AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year with 43 votes out of 50. Additionally, Lewis earned Pro Football Weekly, PFWA and Football Digest Defensive MVP honors and was named to Dr. Z's Sports Illustrated All-Pro team, Pro Football Weekly's All-NFL team, Pro Football Weekly's All-AFC team, Football Digest's All-Pro 1st-team, and The Sporting News' All-Pro team. Lewis also earned the KC 101 AFC Defensive Player of the Year award for the 3rd time in four years, the 2003 NFL Alumni Linebacker Of The Year, and finished with 161 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 6 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 14 pass deflections, and 1 touchdown.. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Month for November[21] and AFC Defensive Player of the week for his fifteen-tackle, one-interception performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17.[22] In the playoffs Lewis totaled 17 tackles. In 2004, Lewis was named 1st-team All Pro by the AP, 2nd-team "All Pro" by College and Pro Football Weekly and Football Digest, and "All Pro" by The Sporting News. He finished the season with 146 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 fumble forced, and 6 pass deflections. Lewis' 2005 season was cut short by a week 6 injury. He was placed on injury reserve in week 8, having amassed 46 tackles, a sack, an interception, 2 pass deflections, and a fumble recovery in the season's first 6 games. In 2006, Lewis led the Ravens defense to an NFL best ranking in 14 major defensive categories, including total yards allowed, points per game allowed, and interceptions. The Ravens also finished second in sacks, take-aways, and rushing yards allowed. Lewis missed two games due to injury but still recorded 103 tackles, a personal best five sacks, two interceptions, and eight pass deflections in 14 Games. He also forced a fumble and recovered one. The Ravens allowed just one 100-yard rushing performance in the 14 games Lewis played. Lewis was named AFC Defensive Player of the week following his 7 tackle, one sack, and three pass deflection performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.[23] He was also selected to the Pro Bowl but withdrew because of a hand injury, ceding his spot to fellow Ravens Linebacker Bart Scott.)[24] Lewis finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[25] Lewis totaled 15 tackles and a pass deflection in the playoffs. Despite the Baltimore Ravens mediocre 2007 season, Ray Lewis was the team's leading tackler. Against the Browns, Lewis recorded 16 tackles, recovered a fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown. He also earned his 9th Pro Bowl nod in his 12 year career. He finished the season with 120 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 10 passes deflected, 2 Interceptions and 1 touchdown. In 2008 Lewis led the Ravens to the AFC Championship game while totaling 117 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 9 passes deflected. He was named a starter to the Pro Bowl (his 10th) and was named an Associated Press 1st Team All-Pro for the sixth time. In addition, Lewis was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his 8 tackle, 2 interception, 2 pass deflection performance against the Houston Texans in Week 10. In the playoffs, Lewis totaled 29 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 pass deflection in 3 games. After the season, Lewis became an unrestricted free agent, but agreed to return to the Baltimore Ravens to complete his career. The contract, which runs through 2015 (including two option years), is said to be worth $10 million the first year but is highly incentivized.[26] In 2009 Lewis was named 1st team All Pro by the Associated Press for the seventh time (9th selection overall) and named to his eleventh Pro Bowl. Lewis accumulated an AFC-leading 134 tackles on the season. He also added 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 7 passes deflected. Lewis added 21 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass deflection in 2 playoff games. In the Sept. 2009 issue of Sporting News' Magazine, Lewis was selected to their Team of the Decade (2000's). In Week 2 in 2009 against the Chargers, Lewis made the game-saving tackle on Darren Sproles. After the game, Lewis said that it was one of the best tackles he's made in his career.[27] In 2010 Lewis was named 2nd team All Pro by the Associated Press for the third time (10th All Pro selection overall) and named to his twelfth Pro Bowl. He totaled 139 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 pass deflections, and 1 touchdown. Lewis added 13 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in 2 playoff games. On Sunday, November 21, 2010, Lewis became only the second player in NFL history to record at least 30 interceptions and 30 sacks in his career (the other being Rodney Harrison). He is also currently the fastest player (204 Games) to achieve that feat. In 2011 Lewis was named to his thirteenth Pro Bowl and led the Ravens with 95 tackles despite missing 4 games with a injury. Lewis also collected 2 sacks, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, and 7 pass deflections. Lewis totaled 20 tackles and 1 pass deflection in 2 playoff games. On Sunday, October 16, 2011, Lewis became the first player in NFL history with at least 40 sacks and 30 interceptions in his career.[28] At the conclusion of the 2011 season, Lewis has career totals of 2,004 total tackles (1,523 solo), 18 forced fumbles, 116 passes defended, 101.5 tackles for loss, 40.5 sacks, 19 fumble recoveries, 31 interceptions for 503 yards, one safety and three touchdowns in 222 games.[29] Lewis has been selected to thirteen NFL Pro Bowl games, a record for an Inside/Middle Linebacker, in his sixteen seasons and led the NFL in tackles five times (1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2004). In 2003, Lewis led all linebackers with six interceptions, a total matching the post-merger all-time record for a middle linebacker in a single season.[30] Lewis was named 1st team Associated Press All-Pro in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2nd team All-Pro in 1997, 1998, and 2010. His ten total All Pro selections is a record for an Inside/Middle Linebacker and ties the record for a Linebacker (Lawrence Taylor also has 10 selections). In 17 career career playoff games Lewis has totaled 163 tackles (106 solo), 2 sack, 6 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 2 interceptions for 54 yards, 14 pass deflections, and 1 touchdown.