Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis is a former American professional football player born in Bartow, Florida on May 15, 1975. He played as a middle linebacker for 17 years for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He played football in high school at Kathleen High School in Lakeland, Florida. He went on to play college football at the University of Miami for the Miami Hurricanes football team from 1993 to 1995. He decided to forgo his senior season to enter the 1996 NFL Draft. Lewis was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round, 26th overall, in the 1996 NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut in the first week of the 1996 season against the Oakland Raiders. On January 2, 2013, he announced he would retire after the 2012-2013 NFL playoffs. With the Raiders, he became a two-time Super Bowl champion in Super Bowl XXXV and Super Bowl XLVII. He was named the Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis played in 13 pro bowls from 1997-2001, 2003, 2004, and 2006-2011. Throughout his NFL career he recorded 2,061 tackles, 41.5 quarterback sacks, 67 pass deflections, 31 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles, 20 fumble recoveries, and 3 defensive touchdowns. In 2018 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.