by Ray Lewis
Surrounded by my kids right before the Cowboys game in October 2012 where I got injured: in the front row (from left to right) are Junior, Rahsaan, Ralin, and Diaymon, and in the back next to me is Grady Jarrett, who I’m proud to say calls me uncle. (Baltimore Ravens/Phil Hoffmann)
At my final home game with my brother and sisters (from left to right) Keon, Laquesha, Lakeisha, my mom, and Kadaja. (Michael Greene)
A nice moment at the Ravens’ Ring of Honor day with Dad and my daughter Kaitlin. (Michael Greene)
At my fortieth birthday party, May 15, 2015.
The amazing day when the Ravens unveiled a statue of me outside the stadium, September 4, 2014. (Baltimore Ravens/Shawn Hubbard)
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Ray Lewis is widely considered to be one of the most dominant defensive players in the history of the National Football League. Lewis led the Baltimore Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XXXV (where he was named Super Bowl MVP) and again in Super Bowl XLVII, in what would be the final game of his career. The Ravens’ all-time career leader in tackles and fumble recoveries, Lewis was selected for the Pro Bowl thirteen times (a record for linebackers) and named AFC Defensive Player of the Year three times before retiring in 2013. Today Lewis devotes his time to being a father as well as an analyst for the NFL on ESPN.
Daniel Paisner is the author of more than fifty books and eleven New York Times bestsellers on topics ranging from business and sports to politics and entertainment.
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INDEX
A note about the index: The pages referenced in this index refer to the page numbers in the print edition. Clicking on a page number will take you to the ebook location that corresponds to the beginning of that page in the print edition. For a comprehensive list of locations of any word or phrase, use your reading system’s search function.
Aaron, Hank, 180
ABC: Jackson as announcer for, 91
Abdul-Jabbar, Karim, 105
AFC Central Division
Lewis comments about, 136–37
See also specific team
AFC Championship Game
in 2000, 191–92
in 2012, 226, 235–36
AFC Play of the Week, Lewis,’ 134–35
Akers, David, 241
Ali (movie), 227
Ali, Muhammad, 180, 227
Amato, Chuck, 77–78, 94, 127–28
Arizona: Lewis rehab program in, 215, 216, 217
Arizona State University, 100
Armstead, Jessie, 84
Atlanta, Georgia
Lewis arrest and jailing in, 164–70, 171, 176, 237, 247, 248
Lewis drive to, 142–43
Lewis family in, 144
Lewis feelings about, 175, 246–47, 248, 251
Lewis in, 143–46, 148–71, 175–78
Lewis talk with Ravens teammates about, 224
Lewis trial in, 173–74, 175, 184
nightclubbing in, 149–51
obstruction of justice charge against Lewis in, 157–58, 170–71, 175
police-Lewis in, 153, 154, 155–62, 163–67, 178
race relations in, 245, 246–47
and ride to airport, 160–62
and Sharpe-Lewis relationship, 175–76
shooting/stabbing in, 153–71, 245
Super Bowl XXXIV in, 141–42, 143, 144–46, 148, 149
two girls in, 150–51
Auburn University: recruiting of Lewis by, 75, 76
autograph, Lewis’ first, 70–71
Ayanbadejo, Brendon, 238
Baker, Jacinth (Atlanta murder victim), 164, 173, 245
Ballard, Vic, 229
Baltimore Browns. See Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Colts, 124, 133
Baltimore, Maryland
Freddie Gray death in, 245, 247, 248, 251
Lewis family home in, 132–33, 205
police in, 245, 246–47, 251
race relations in, 245, 246–47, 251
support for Lewis in, 181
Baltimore Orioles, 246
Baltimore Ravens
and AFC 2000 Championship Game, 191–92
branding of, 138
celebrations with, 135–36
colors of, 191
culture of, 136, 138
as defense force, 141, 181, 182–83, 185, 189
drafting of Lewis by, 124–25
fans of, 133–34, 135–36, 183, 191, 230, 231
Injured Reserve List of, 217
and Lewis Atlanta problems, 155, 169–70, 176
Lewis’ concerns about, 155
Lewis dances for, 183–84, 227, 234
and Lewis feelings of belonging, 132, 139
Lewis first big play for, 134–35
Lewis first year with, 127–38
Lewis retirement from, 205–6, 220, 223–25, 235
Lewis return following injury to, 223–28
Lewis second year with, 138–40
Lewis starting position with, 127–30
and Lewis tricep injury, 209–11, 212–15, 222, 223
Memorial Stadium as home for, 133
reputation of, 136, 185
as respectable, 141
style of, 233–34
support for Lewis among, 169–70, 176, 181
team colors and logo for, 127
2000 games of, 178–89
2012 games of, 209–22, 223–43
See also specific person or game
Bamberger, Jason, 61
Banks, Tony, 182
banner (2000 AFC Championship Game), 191–92
Barber, Tiki, 193
Barnes, Marlin “Red,” 113–20, 121, 122, 125, 135, 237
Barnes, Roosevelt, 162
Bartow Yellow Jackets, 29, 65–66
Bass, Robert, 82, 84, 87, 90, 97, 98
Baughan, Maxie, 130
BCS bowl system, 103
Belichick, Bill, 129
Bettis, Jerome, 136
Beyoncé, 236, 239
Billick, Brian, 179, 181, 182
Bisciotti, Steve, 220–21
Biscuit (coach), 17–21, 22, 23–24, 26
Black Beach Week (Daytona, Florida), 113–18
“Bone” (hand signal), 65
Boston College, 87
Bowden, Bobby, 76, 77–78, 79, 94
Brady, Tom, 194, 235, 238
Bridges, Ken, 63
Brooks, Derrick, 78, 79, 94, 128
Brown, Jim, 180
Brown, Michael, 245, 248
Brown, Tim, 191
Bryant, Dez, 211
Bryant Stadium (Lakeland, Florida), 21, 27, 60
Buford, Willie “Skeet,” 25–27, 28
Burgess, James, 82, 84, 85, 90
Burnett, Rob, 182
butterflies: Lewis’ fascination with, 210
Byner, Earnest, 134
Campbell, Tisha, 147
Campbell, William, 56, 57
Carr, Ceon, 55
Carter, Marty, 144, 145, 149
Carter, Rubin “Hurricane,” 217–18
Chicago Bears, 53
Chicago White Sox, 246
Ciega, Boca, 75
Cincinnati Bengals, 136, 223
Cleveland Browns, 124, 129
Clewiston High School (Florida), 57
“C’mon ‘n Ride It” (song), 135
Cobalt Club (Atlanta), 149–51
college
Lewis’ plans for, 74
recruitment of Lewis for, 74–80
See also specific institution or team
College All-American: Lewis as, 146–48
Collins, Kerry, 193
Costa, Frank, 102, 104
Costner, Kevin, 240
Cowher, Bill, 120, 121
Crabtree, Michael, 242
Crowe, Russell, 180
Curl, Leigh Ann, 209–10, 212–13
Dallas Cowboys: Ravens game against, 211–12
dances, Lewis,’ 183–84, 227, 234
Davis, Butch, 104–7, 109
Davis, Stephanie, 62–63
Daytona, Florida: Lewis at Black Beach Week in, 113–18
Denmark, Dmitri, 66, 67
Dennis, Labrant, 119
Denver Broncos: Ravens games against, 185–86, 221, 222, 226, 231–34
Dickerson, Eric, 27
Dilfer, Trent, 182, 183, 189, 194
Dillon, Corey, 136
Disney World, 193–95, 248–49
Doctors Hospital (Miami, Florida): Lewis’ tricep surgery at, 214
draft, NFL
and Barnes’ funeral, 122, 125
day of Lewis’, 122–25
and Green Bay Packers look at Lewis, 121–22, 123
Lewis declares for, 106–10
and Lewis’ dreams, 112–13
and Lewis’ size and speed, 120–22, 123
“normal,” 125
and Ravens drafting of Lewis, 124–25
standards for, 120–21
dreams, Lewis
and family, 203–4, 206
and NFL draft, 112–13
and number 40, 234
Dudley, Rickey, 134
Dwayne (driver), 142, 153, 154, 155
Dyson, Kevin, 142
Ellerbe, Dannell, 242
Elway, John, 194
endorsements, 108
Erickson, Dennis, 75, 76, 80–81, 90–91, 102, 104, 132
ESPN, 249
faith
and Atlanta problems, 167–69, 170, 171, 173–74
importance to Lewis of, 112
and Lewis 2012 postseason games, 230–31, 233, 240, 242, 243
and Lewis dance, 184
and Lewis family, 6–7, 170, 171, 173, 207
and Lewis’ legacy, 250
and Oakland fans getting into Lewis’ head, 192
and Shannon and number 52, 85
smiling and, 248
and Titans-Ravens 2000 game, 190–91
and winning the crowd, 190–91
family, Lewis’
in Atlanta, 144
Baltimore home for, 132–33
cycle of abandonment for, 1
faith and, 6–7, 170, 171, 173, 207
holidays with, 205, 206
and Lewis arrest and jailing, 170
and Lewis childhood, 1–15, 24, 237
and Lewis declaration for NFL draft, 107–10
and Lewis dreams, 203–4, 206
and Lewis as a father, 109–10, 112, 117, 197, 200–201, 203–5, 206–7, 215–16, 250
and Lewis financial affairs, 107–9, 132, 204
and Lewis as a wrestler, 47–48
in Memphis, 74
and men in mother’s life, 7–8, 208
in Miami, 107–8
names in, 13
and normality, 112
race relations and, 247–48
rules for, 207
size of, 205
split in living arrangements for, 28
and 2012 season, 212
See also specific person
fans
of Baltimore Ravens, 183, 191, 230, 231
hatred of Lewis by Pittsburgh, 178–79, 180, 232, 247, 248
of Oakland getting into Lewis’ head, 191–92
racism of, 179
father. See Jackson, Elbert Ray
Fauria, Christian, 91
Felder, Ty “Ropeman,” 177
Ferguson, Danyell, 84
Field of Dreams (movie), 240
Fiesta Bowl: Miami Hurricanes at, 98, 99
“Fight” (song), 227–28
The Five Heartbeats (movie), 202–3
Flacco, Joe, 230, 232, 233–34, 242
Florida Seminoles, 76, 78, 94–96, 101, 102
Florida State University
recruiting of Lewis by, 75, 76, 77–79, 127–28
University of Miami rivalry with, 101, 102
See also Florida Seminoles
football
as fun, 59
game changers in, 113, 186
importance to Lewis of, 51, 112
and Lewis-father relationship, 14
Lewis lessons learned from, 23–24, 26, 76
as one-on-one battle, 24–25, 30–31, 39, 43, 53–54, 58, 99
as similar to life, 54
as test for Lewis, 27
as way up and out for Lewis, 25, 28, 54
wrestling compared with, 36, 39, 42–43, 76
See also specific team or game
football signing: Lewis’ first, 70–71
Foreman, George, 227
Fort Myers High School, 75, 76, 80–81
40-yard line, 234, 236, 240
Franklin, Steve “Black,” 60–61, 63, 65, 66, 69
Frazier, Tommie, 103, 104
Friday night
Lakeland games on, 27
Marley and Lewis routine for, 89–90
game changers, 113, 186
Gannon, Rich, 191, 192
Gardener, Daryl, 123
Garner, Eric, 245–46, 248
George, Eddie
as College All-American, 146–48
confidence of, 186
grudge matches against, 136
Lewis gets into head of, 186–89, 190, 191
Lewis hitting of, 188–89, 235–36
Lewis rivalry with, 145–48, 150, 186–89, 190
Ravens 2000 season games against, 186–89, 190
and “Smashers” game, 146–47
in Super Bowl XXXIV, 145–46
Georgia Southern University, 99–100
German, Jammi, 75
Gibson, Derrick, 68
Gladiator (movie), 180, 184
Gore, Frank, 242
Graham, Corey, 232, 234
Gray, Freddie, 245, 247–48, 251
Gray, Torrian, 59
Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church (Lakeland, Florida), 6
“greatest player statement”, Lewis,’ 93–94
Green Bay Packers: and drafting of Lewis, 121–22
Haines City High School, 68
Harbaugh, Jim, 236, 242
Harbaugh, John, 223, 224, 226, 229–30, 236
Hardy, Anwar, 55
Hardy, Kevin, 122
Hartings, Jeff, 123
Hawaii: Pro Bowls in, 1, 138–39, 141, 144, 150
Heisman Trophy, 94
Hilary, Charles “Mickey,” 54–55
Holmes, Priest, 182
Houston Texans: Ravens games against, 136, 218
Houston’s Restaurant (Atlanta): Mona and Lisa at, 174–75
“I Feel Like Going On” (song), 202–3
Indianapolis Colts
Manning as face of, 231
Ravens games against, 223, 224, 225–30
injuries
and “cocoon time,” 210, 214–18
of Kathleen High School players, 57, 62, 63–64, 66
Lewis smiling through, 209, 211, 212
and Lewis’ tricep injury, 209–10, 211, 212–15, 222, 223
as opening for Lewis to play football, 57, 62
recovery/rejuvenation from, 210–11, 214–18
of University of Miami players, 90–91, 97
Irvin, Michael, 93–94, 95
Jackson, Curtis (uncle), 33
Jackson, Elbert Ray (father)
appearance of, 9
athletic abilities of, 9, 25
athletic coach for, 37
children
of, 1, 201, 203
as DNA father, 1
father of, 198–200
as football player, 44
Grandmother Minnie and, 33–34
legacy of, 7, 37, 200
and Lewis as high school football player, 68–70
and Lewis-mother relationship, 22
and Lewis motivation, 201, 208
Lewis reaches out to, 197–203
Lewis relationship with, 1, 22, 23, 33–34, 35, 38, 43–44, 48, 49, 50, 199, 200–201, 208
Lewis views about, 8, 68–70, 197, 201, 203, 204, 208, 237, 248
and Lewis as wrestler, 54
Lewis youthful contacts with, 34–35
life story of, 198
mother-Lewis conversation about, 4–5
music as bond between Lewis and, 202–3
and names in family, 4–5, 13
and naming of Lewis, 4–5, 13–15
and normality in Lewis’ life, 112
reputation of, 8, 9, 13–14, 25, 34
as wrestler, 37–38, 40, 43, 48, 49, 50
Jackson, Elbert Ray Jr. See Lewis, Ray
Jackson, Kadaja (sister), 2, 7, 8, 132, 201
Jackson, Keith, 91, 92
Jackson, Keon (brother), 1–2, 132
Jackson, Minnie (grandmother), 33–34, 35
Jenkins, Lakeisha (sister), 1–2, 8, 9, 28, 132, 174, 201
Jenkins, Laquesha (sister), 1–2, 8, 9, 28, 132, 174, 201
Joe, Ernest, 59, 61–62, 63, 64–65, 67–68, 76, 78–79, 80, 81
Johnson, Charles, 91
Johnson, Dwayne “The Rock,” 83
Johnson, Jimmy, 104, 123
Johnson, Keyshawn, 122
Johnson, Patrick, 183
Johnson, Pepper, 127, 129, 130, 132
Johnson, Victor, 45–46
Jones, Jacoby, 233, 240
Jones, Marcus, 123
Jones, Trent, 113
Kaepernick, Colin, 238–39, 241, 242
Kane, Eddie Jr., 202
Kathleen High School
and college recruiting of Lewis, 74–80
and father’s legacy, 200
Jackson as wrestler at, 37–38, 40, 43, 48, 49, 50
jamboree football game at, 61–62
and Lewis early interest in wrestling, 36–38
Lewis as football player at, 14, 38, 42–43, 55–71, 75–76
Lewis jobs while at, 80
Lewis as problem at, 73
Lewis senior year at, 73–80
Lewis as wrestler at, 14, 38–50, 74, 79, 80
social life at, 62–63
style of football at, 58–59
Kaufman, Napoleon, 101
Kehoe, Art, 75, 80–81
Kendall, Pete, 123
Keys, Alicia, 227–28