Ray Anthony Lewis, Jr. (born May 15, 1975) is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL).
Ray played his entire career for the Baltimore Ravens which spanned 17 years from 1996 to 2013, and for the University of Miami in college.
Drafted by the Ravens in
1996, Lewis was the last player remaining from the inaugural team at the start of the 2012-13 season. He gained notoriety for his involvement in a January 2000 fight that resulted in an indictment on murder and aggravated-assault charges. In a plea agreement he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in exchange for testifying against two other defendants.
win the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award and the first to win the award on the winning Super Bowl team.
After a triceps tear that sidelined him for most of the 2012-13 season, Lewis made the decision to retire at the end of the Ravens' victory in Super Bowl XLVII.