{"id":16705,"date":"2013-01-04T14:35:55","date_gmt":"2013-01-04T19:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.playingfieldpromotions.com\/blog\/?p=8507"},"modified":"2013-01-04T14:35:55","modified_gmt":"2013-01-04T19:35:55","slug":"ravens-linebacker-ray-lewis-announces-he-will-retire-after-playoffs-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportsspeakers360.com\/blog\/ravens-linebacker-ray-lewis-announces-he-will-retire-after-playoffs-video","title":{"rendered":"Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis Announces He Will Retire After Playoffs (VIDEO)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ray Lewis, considered one of the best middle linebackers in NFL history, announced on Wednesday that he will be retiring at the end of this season. The 13 Pro-Bowler will end his 17-year NFL career with one Super Bowl MVP, two Defensive Player of the Year awards and seven times being named First-Team All-Pro.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Ray Lewis, a popular motivational speaker at PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency, announced on Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013, that he will retire at the end of the season.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nAfter being sidelined most of the year with a torn triceps, Lewis will return to play his final game in the AFC wildcard game in Baltimore on Sunday, January 6, where the Ravens will host the Indianapolis Colts.<\/p>\n

<\/object><\/p>\n

In an emotional announcement to the press Lewis said:<\/p>\n

“I talked to my team today. I talked to them about life in general. And everything that starts has an end. For me, today, I told my team that this will be my last ride.”<\/p>\n

According to ESPN, Lewis “has gone to 13 Pro Bowls, been named first-team All-Pro seven times and has been voted NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice.”<\/p>\n

“God is calling,” Lewis said. “My children have made the ultimate sacrifice for their father for 17 years. I don’t want to see them do that no more. I’ve done what I wanted to do in this business, and now it’s my turn to give them something back.”<\/p>\n

“I just felt so much peace in my decision because of everything I’ve done in this league.<\/p>\n

“I’ve only played the game to make my team be a better team. And now God is calling in so many other areas of life. And my children have made the ultimate sacrifice for their father. … I’ve done what I’ve wanted to do in this business.<\/p>\n

“I’ll make this last run with my team, and I’ll give (the Ravens) everything I’ve got.”<\/p>\n

From a USA Today article:<\/p>\n

“When you talk about great defensive players, Ray ranks favorably with the (Lawrence Taylors), the Reggie Whites, the Dick Butkuses, whoever you want to put up there. I don’t think you can go very far without talking about Ray Lewis and his accomplishments,” said Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, who played with Lewis and is a CBS analyst.<\/p>\n

“Seventy-five to 80% of people will say Ray was the greatest middle linebacker whoever lived. Some will say Dick Butkus. Some will say this one or Mike Singletary. That’s always subject to debate.”<\/p>\n

Lewis is the lone remaining player from the Ravens’ 2000 title team, whose calling card was the Lewis-led defense that is among the best of all time. He was the MVP of Baltimore’s 34-7 win vs. the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.<\/p>\n

“I can’t picture Baltimore without him,” Ravens running back Ray Rice said. <\/p>\n

“Baltimore is Ray Lewis.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Look for an exciting game this Sunday.<\/p>\n

\n

PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency is a speakers bureau and top booking agent for football speakers, athlete appearances and endorsements. If you would like hire Ray Lewis for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event, request Ray Lewis speaker<\/a> and Ray Lewis agent<\/a> information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. For more information call 800.966.1380.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ray Lewis, considered one of the best middle linebackers in NFL history, announced on Wednesday that he will be retiring at the end of this season. The 13 Pro-Bowler will end his 17-year NFL career with one Super Bowl MVP, two Defensive Player of the Year awards and seven times being named First-Team All-Pro.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,4],"tags":[77],"class_list":["post-16705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-football-news","category-sports-speaker-news","tag-ray-lewis"],"yoast_head":"\nRavens Linebacker Ray Lewis Announces He Will Retire After Playoffs (VIDEO) -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ray Lewis, considered one of the best middle linebackers in NFL history, announced on Wednesday that he will be retiring at the end of this season. 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