Ray Lewis was one of the most dominant and intimidating players in NFL history, so it’s only right that he’s a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. Lewis, a 17-year pro, earned his Hall of Fame nod Saturday night in a class that also includes Brian Dawkins, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and Brian Urlacher.
Why Ray Lewis was an easy choice to be a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee
Lewis was voted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. It was a no brainer.
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Lewis, a first-round draft pick in 1996 by the Baltimore Ravens, was known for his hard-hitting style of play, athleticism, and instincts. In 228 career games, he collected 2,061 tackles, 41 1⁄2 sacks, 19 forced fumbles, 20 fumble recoveries, and 31 interceptions.
He’s a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year recipient, a 13-time Pro Bowler, and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Now he can add Hall of Famer to the top of his list of accolades.
Lewis had a penchant for making plays, always asserted his dominance, had no flaw in his game, and played with a relentless motor.
Lewis laid bone-crushing hits on whoever had the ball
Thunderous hits aren’t hard to come by in the NFL, but there was something special about the punishment delivered by Lewis. Standing at 6’1 and weighing 240 pounds, Lewis had the strength and size to shed blockers and smother runners.
Just watch how Lewis completely drilled Jerome Bettis, one of the biggest running backs in NFL history, to the ground with force.
Offensive linemen could not help players avoid Lewis. He was too strong to block, and he used his speed to get around blockers. When teams ran up the middle against a Lewis-led defense, the ball carrier better have braced for a hard hit. Former Dallas Cowboys running back Phillip Tanner can tell you all about that.
Lewis wasn’t afraid to put his body on the line to make a play. He wanted to assert his dominance in the run game early and often. But there is one underrated aspect of his game that we fail to to talk about often: Lewis’ coverage skills.
You didn’t want to throw the ball in Lewis’ direction either
Lewis didn’t have a problem with dropping back into coverage. Like in the run game, he used his speed and power to make plays on the ball. There were times Lewis shadowed running backs coming out of the backfield and tight ends running up the seam. It didn’t matter which route those players ran. Lewis was all over it.
Oh, and quarterbacks shouldn’t have even thought about throwing the ball to a tight end when Lewis was lurking. The Jets once made that mistake, and Dustin Keller paid for their sins.
Lewis could also jump routes and make plays on the ball. He led all linebackers with six interceptions in 2003. Lewis only went three seasons without registering at least one interception.
His 50 takeaways are the second-most among linebackers in NFL history. Jack Ham, a Pittsburgh Steelers legend and Hall of Famer, has three more takeaways than Lewis.
Lewis was known for his legendary pregame speeches
Lewis was always the unquestioned leader of the Baltimore Ravens during his career. Before he went to the field to terrorize opposing offenses, he would gather the entire team and motivate it.
His passion for the game was unmatched, and the defenses around him always played with high intensity. Even though etching your name in football immortality is more about stats and accomplishments, rallying your teammates is what makes you a leader. Lewis wore that badge with honor.
Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens’ general manager, told The Baltimore Sun that Lewis “is one of the greatest, without a doubt.”
“Ray Lewis will not only be remembered as one of the greatest to play his position, he will also be thought of as one of the greatest players in NFL history,” Newsome said. “And, he is one of the greatest, without a doubt. He had the one quality all of the best have: He made all the players, coaches and people around him better.”
Former Jaguars and Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio agrees:
Lewis created a culture in Baltimore that still stands to this day. And when you combine that with his dominant play and leadership skills, he personifies a Hall of Famer.
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