I Hate Ray Lewis
I'll say it. I despise Ray Lewis. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way. As a Bengals fan, I feel pretty confident that plenty of Brown and Steeler fans agree. I can't stand to see him, hear him, or watch him, and it's been that way for 16 years now. If the Baltimore Ravens are on my television, I change the channel, and don't turn it back til the next game is starting. If he's doing an interview, I mute it. I even turn off highlights shows when they're focusing on the Ravens. I really make a point of never saying I hate someone, so I won't go that far, but man, I really dislike Ray Lewis.
Coming out of the University of Miami, Lewis was highly regarded, but his size was projected to hold him back. The Ravens held the 26th pick in the 1996 draft, and after several linebackers were selected in front of him, made the move that would forever change the franchise and selected the former Hurricane. He immediately made an impact, leading the team in tackles and the NFL in tackles for a loss. He led the league in tackles in year two and thus began a career that would become legendary.
After 16 (and counting) seasons, Lewis's list of accomplishments is nearly novel-sized in length. It includes his being a 13-time Pro Bowler, a 10-time first or second team All Pro, a 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, a Super Bowl champion, a Super Bowl MVP, and a selection to the 2000's all-decade team. He's also the only player with more than 40 sacks and more than 30 interceptions. More important than the stats and the accolades, however, is the leadership he brings. He's the team's unquestioned leader both on the field and in the locker room. His loud rasping voice can be heard clearly, providing both instruction and motivation to teammates, and at the same time, baiting opponents. While his numbers are great, it's this drive and the intangibles that make him one of a kind.
He has earned my ire through 16 years of big wins, amazing plays, and unmerciful hits against my beloved Bengals. I've watched in horror as he turned games I thought we had a chance in, to losses. I've seen him hit guys so hard, mouthpieces flew several yards away. I've witnessed him decimate my team both physically and mentally over and over. It pains me to see him make a big play, and pleases me when, like last year, he misses a game against Cincinnati. To listen to him be lauded by the media drives me wild, even though I know the things they say are true. The fact that he's so universally praised just drives me crazier and makes me dislike him even more than I already did.
As his career winds down, presumably, I keep waiting for his skills to diminish, and maybe they have. However, he still is the heart and soul of the Ravens, and I want him to hurry up and retire. I will be much happier once I know the Bengals don't have to face this destructive force anymore. I can peacefully watch a Ravens game, and not feel the hate begin to rise inside me. I'm sure Baltimore won't just collapse, but I'll feel a lot better with number 52 on the sidelines, rather than on the field. It may sound harsh, but I don't want Ray Lewis to play anymore. As I mentioned, I can't stand him. He's one of my least favorite NFL players of all time, more hated than any Steeler or Brown has ever been. I feel my blood pressure rising, even just writing about him. Yeah, I'll go there. I HATE Ray Lewis.....and dammit, I wish he were a Bengal. Sigh.
Coming out of the University of Miami, Lewis was highly regarded, but his size was projected to hold him back. The Ravens held the 26th pick in the 1996 draft, and after several linebackers were selected in front of him, made the move that would forever change the franchise and selected the former Hurricane. He immediately made an impact, leading the team in tackles and the NFL in tackles for a loss. He led the league in tackles in year two and thus began a career that would become legendary.
After 16 (and counting) seasons, Lewis's list of accomplishments is nearly novel-sized in length. It includes his being a 13-time Pro Bowler, a 10-time first or second team All Pro, a 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, a Super Bowl champion, a Super Bowl MVP, and a selection to the 2000's all-decade team. He's also the only player with more than 40 sacks and more than 30 interceptions. More important than the stats and the accolades, however, is the leadership he brings. He's the team's unquestioned leader both on the field and in the locker room. His loud rasping voice can be heard clearly, providing both instruction and motivation to teammates, and at the same time, baiting opponents. While his numbers are great, it's this drive and the intangibles that make him one of a kind.
He has earned my ire through 16 years of big wins, amazing plays, and unmerciful hits against my beloved Bengals. I've watched in horror as he turned games I thought we had a chance in, to losses. I've seen him hit guys so hard, mouthpieces flew several yards away. I've witnessed him decimate my team both physically and mentally over and over. It pains me to see him make a big play, and pleases me when, like last year, he misses a game against Cincinnati. To listen to him be lauded by the media drives me wild, even though I know the things they say are true. The fact that he's so universally praised just drives me crazier and makes me dislike him even more than I already did.
As his career winds down, presumably, I keep waiting for his skills to diminish, and maybe they have. However, he still is the heart and soul of the Ravens, and I want him to hurry up and retire. I will be much happier once I know the Bengals don't have to face this destructive force anymore. I can peacefully watch a Ravens game, and not feel the hate begin to rise inside me. I'm sure Baltimore won't just collapse, but I'll feel a lot better with number 52 on the sidelines, rather than on the field. It may sound harsh, but I don't want Ray Lewis to play anymore. As I mentioned, I can't stand him. He's one of my least favorite NFL players of all time, more hated than any Steeler or Brown has ever been. I feel my blood pressure rising, even just writing about him. Yeah, I'll go there. I HATE Ray Lewis.....and dammit, I wish he were a Bengal. Sigh.
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