Ray Lewis, a 13-time Pro Bowler and the Ravens' second-ever draft choice (26th overall in 1996), helped guide the Ravens to two Super Bowl titles during his career, capturing the Lombardi Trophy in 2000 and 2012. Following the 2012 campaign, Lewis, who will be forever known as the greatest linebacker of his generation and one of the best defensive players in NFL history, retired after 17 seasons. Here is a brief look at his storied professional career:
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In 2000, led a defense that established a 16-game single-season record for fewest points allowed (165), and fewest rushing yards allowed (970), recorded 4 shutouts (1 shy of the post-1970 merger record), and finished first league-wide in six key defensive categories
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Was the second player in NFL history to win both NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP awards (2000)...DT Harvey Martin of Dallas won Defensive Player of the Year in 1977 and was co-MVP of Super Bowl XXII with DT Randy White
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Is the only player in NFL history with at least 40 career sacks and 30 career INTs (41.5 sacks and 31 INTs)
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Posted a franchise-record 2,643 career tackles, including a single-season team-best 225 stops in 2003
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Led the Ravens in tackles in 14 of his 17 seasons, registering at least 150 stops 11 times
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Has returned 3 of his 31 INTs for TDs
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Had a team-record and career-high 25 tackles at NYG (9/14/97)
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Posted seven career 20-tackle games
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Is second only to Jack Ham (53) in take-aways by a LB in NFL history with 50 total (31 INTs and 19 FRs)
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Invited to 13 Pro Bowls (1997-2001, 2003-04 and 2006-11)…Did not play in 2006 game due to a hand injury
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Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2000 and 2003) – just the sixth player in NFL history to win multiple times (Lawrence Taylor – three times; Joe Greene, Mike Singletary, Bruce Smith and Reggie White – two times each)
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Super Bowl XXXV MVP (2000)
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Named to the NFL All-Decade (2000s) team, chosen every 10 years by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee
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AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 3, 2011; Week 10, 2008; Week 1, 2006; Week 17, 2003; Week 4, 2002; Week 15, 2001; Week 9, 1997; Week 1, 1996)
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AFC Defensive Player of the Month (November, 2003)
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Associated Press first-team All-Pro (1999-2001, 2003-04, 2008-09)
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Associated Press second-team All-Pro (1997-98, 2010)
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College & Pro Football Weekly first-team All-Pro (1997, 2000-01)
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College & Pro Football Weekly second-team All-Pro (1999, 2004)
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Football Digest Defensive Player of the Year (2003)
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Football Digest All-Pro (1999, 2000-01, 2003)
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Football Digest second-team All-Pro (2004)
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Football Digest second-team All-NFL (1997)
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Football News All-Pro (2000-01)
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KC 101 Defensive Player of the Year (2000-01, 2003)
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NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year (1999, 2003)
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PFW/PFWA first-team All-NFL (2000, 2003, 2008)
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PFW/PFWA first-team All-AFC (1999, 2000, 2003, 2008)
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PFW/PFWA and Football Digest Defensive MVP (2003)
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Pro Football Weekly All-Pro (1999-2001 and 2003-04)
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Pro Football Weekly Defensive Player of the Week (1997)
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USA Today First-team All-Pro (1998-2000)
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USA Today All-Rookie Team (1996)
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Sporting News All-Pro (1998-2001, 2003-04)
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Sports Illustrated All-Pro (1997-2001, 2003-04, 2009-10)
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John Mackey Award (1997), AFC's best LB, as voted by peers
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NFLPA Linebacker of the Year (1997)
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Walter Payton Man of the Year Finalist (2003)
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NFL's Most Dominant Player, voted by league coaches through CBS Sports (2003)
