Ray Lewis: The NFL’s Newest Hall of Fame Member

Former Ravens’ linebacker Ray Lewis was elected as the newest member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Lewis was named into the Hall of Fame in Minneapolis, Minnesota this past Saturday, on the same day as the fifth anniversary of the Ravens victory in Super Bowl 47.

The Ravens Super Bowl title marked the final game of Ray Lewis’ career, leaving “the game” the best way anyone could dream of.

Career Statistics

Ray Lewis is the only player in NFL history with 40 sacks and 30 interceptions in a career.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 3, 2018

Furthermore, Lewis remained a Raven throughout his entire 16-year tenure in the NFL. The 13-time pro bowler and the Ravens’ second draft choice (1996 draft) had a tremendous career that deserves all the credibility he’s been awarded.

Prior to Lewis’ second Super Bowl title, the Ravens went on to defeat the New York Giants in the Super Bowl to achieve their first franchise title. Lewis was named Super Bowl MVP while leading the leagues best defense. A defense that established a 16-game single-season record for least points allowed in a game while amounting to four shutouts, one shy of the post-1970 merger, according to Baltimoreravens.com.

• Second player ever to receive Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP the same year (2000).
• 13x Pro Bowler
• 7x First-Team All-Pro
• The only player with 41.5 sacks and 31 interceptions.
• Holds Ravens franchise record for most career tackles (2,643).
• Most tackles in a single game with 25 against the New York Giants, 9/14/97.
• Posted seven career 20-tackle games.
• Named to the NFL All-Decades (2000) team
• Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 2000 and 2003.

Lewis’ Impact on the Game

"Respect is earned. Respect is never given." pic.twitter.com/U4Uhe3A5IE

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 4, 2018

Ultimately, the Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and owner Steve Bisciotti had some words of admiration for their former player.

“Ray represented Ravens football perfectly. He established what it means to play like a Raven, which has become a standard we believe in and our fans understand,” said Harbaugh a couple days prior to the HoF induction ceremony. “It was an honor to coach Ray on the field and to maintain our friendship off it.”

“Obviously there is nobody more deserving, said Biscotti on behalf of Lewis’ impact. “He made people around him better, which is the greatest compliment that you can give anybody in football, and he clearly was that guy.”

Both quotes are according to local Baltimore news station CBS13.

Ray Lewis’ Reaction

As seen below, the reaction from Ray Lewis receiving his honorary invitation to be inducted into the Hall of Fame was recorded and uploaded to Twitter.

The moment the 2018 HOF class found out they were being inducted. (via @ProFootballHOF) pic.twitter.com/hlQhhPHrrB

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 4, 2018

Emotional moments ran through the minds of the Hall of Fame Class of 2018. They were Brian Urlacher, Brian Dawkins, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Jerry Kramer, Robert Brazile and Bobby Beathard.

Lastly, Lewis spoke with the media and delivered his thoughts on his nomination, induction, and placement as an immortal member of Canton’s legendary club.