Ray Lewis retiring at end of this season

DougE14 · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 6:38 pm Post subject:

Gonna be sad to see Ray go! He is my favorite football player ever and one of of my favorite athletes in general.

Here's to hoping we find his replacement in the draft this year. (Manti Teo)

Also, I hope he stays around the game. I know he wants to watch his son play football, but I'm hoping one day he becomes a defensive coordinator or commentator or something similar.
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drd23 · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 7:10 pm Post subject:

Now I'm regretting not taking that holiday to America in 2012 to see the Ravens play live.

Here's hoping we send him out in style with another SB ring
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db424 on the sig!

bmore4life815 · Joined: 22 Nov 2010 Posts: 3427 Location: Climbing up M&T

It gives me chills just thinking about the reception Ray's going to get once "Hot in Here" starts playing as he makes his way out of the tunnel.
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Bernard "Crush Boy" Pollard- Forever a Raven

El Ramster on the sig that isn't going anywhere

GridironWarrior · Joined: 30 Jul 2008 Posts: 512

Steelers fan here and I gotta say I enjoyed watching Ray, even when he terrorized us. One of the greatest player (not just defensive) of all time. Sundays won't be the same without him.
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Steelers Fan

diamondbull424 · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 10016 Location: Baltimore, MD

Well, I've expected this for quite some time... it does however make my mock draft's prediction that Lewis would retire... less, prediction like... and much more factual. But yeah, this made complete sense for this to be his last season with the team... I've already gotten my emotional feelings out... that happened after he injured his triceps and was done for the rest of the regular season. With each week, I just allowed myself to "settle down" more and more.

I think the hardest part won't be knowing he won't be back next season... because I already knew it with 98% certainty... but the hardest part will be seeing the clock tick to zero and knowing... Ray Lewis is gone... An era just passed. I will no longer be 13 and seeing this guy absolutely destroy running backs on our way to a Super Bowl.. and thinking, I want to play football like that man (when I previously had no interest in the sport). It'll be even harder trying to explain to people in the future.. just how great Ray Lewis was at ILB... and it'll be even harder realizing that he had his final season removed from him for long such a long stretch due to an injury... (he could've potentially made another probowl)... but then I'll think of it as destiny... as he lifts the Lombardi trophy into the air, I'll think... just think, a new rule voted into the NFL THIS YEAR, IR designated for return, allowed Ray Lewis to return to play in the playoffs for his final season... when any other year- this wouldn't have been possible... any other year he would've had to retire knowing his final season was wasted... but this season, he got a chance to return and inspire the team towards something that was quite possibly greater than their talent level could've had one to imagine at certain points in the season.

... and the absolute worst part will be if the above doesn't happen and the clock ticking to zero just means an end to an era.
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Blind arrogance sows the field of it's own destruction. - Commander Greil, Fire Emblem

S-jax39 · Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 5650 Location: [D]MV

Would love for you guys to get the ring this year for him.
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Nucky · Joined: 27 Dec 2011 Posts: 267 Location: Gaithersburg, MD

I never wished this day would come.

I never got the chance to see Ray Lewis or the Ravens play in person but I was fortunate enough to meet him in 97. I was a little kid and terrified out of my mind of him no joke lol ! Little did I know I was talking to the greatest linebacker to ever play the game and without a doubt the greatest leader of men I have EVER witnessed.

It is going to be extremely weird without him. But I know Ray is at peace with his decision and will be the last person to do the Brett Favre. All 17 years of his career made my childhood. This no doubt will be different.

If he was going to tell this to the world. Today was a perfect time as this team seems to have lost that emotion imo. But now, hell, we gotta send Ray home right ! LETS GET THIS RING.

TO GENERAL 52 ! SALUTE !!!

diamondbull424 · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 10016 Location: Baltimore, MD

In honor of Ray... I made these, if anyone would like to join me in wearing the Ray sig... I don't mind, no credit necessary. The original piece at the bottom probably needs a few more touches before its finished, but it's mostly there.

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Blind arrogance sows the field of it's own destruction. - Commander Greil, Fire Emblem

DontTazeMeBro · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 20501 Location: 321

Badass DB.

Ima leave mine here so I don't gotta dig up the Joe Cool thread later.

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bmore4life815 · Joined: 22 Nov 2010 Posts: 3427 Location: Climbing up M&T

Yep, I'll leave mine here for the time being as well. Awesome stuff, DB.

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Bernard "Crush Boy" Pollard- Forever a Raven

El Ramster on the sig that isn't going anywhere

wackywabbit · Joined: 20 Dec 2009 Posts: 3838

SnA ExclusiVe · Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 10584 Location: Spokane, WA

I'm in too!

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BareYourTeeth · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 12:47 am Post subject:

Ray Lewis Retirement Tour...first stop, Baltimore.
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2012 BALTIMORE RAVENS — BEST IN THE WORLD

RAVINGMADD · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 2503

Flaccomania · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 16531 Location: Parkville, MD

I'm game. Leaving mine.

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Why not Michael Jordan?