Raymond Anthony "Ray" Lewis (born May 15, 1975 in Bartow, Florida) is the linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Lewis has appeared in eight Pro Bowls and been named an All-Pro seven times. Lewis is regarded as one of the best defenders in the NFL. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2000 and 2003; he was the sixth player to win the award multiple times. He was also the first linebacker to win the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award since 1971 and the first to win the award on the winning Super Bowl team.
Although Lewis may appear intimidating he has put great effort into his many charities. Lewis started the Ray Lewis 52 Foundation, which is a non-profit tax-exempt corporation whose mission is to provide personal and economic assistance to disadvantaged youth. The foundation has funded such events as adopting 10 families in Baltimore City community for the holidays and answered their Christmas wish lists, Ray's annual celebrity auction and bowling tournament, Great Maryland Duck Derby, Thanksgiving food drives and Ray's Summer Days. All proceeds have helped fund the Ray Lewis Foundation.
In 2005 Lewis spent the off-season learning to speak Portuguese and Amharic to be more effective in his work in Angola and Ethiopia respectively. He then teamed with Paralympic Gold Medalist Cheri Blauwet and with the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) to support and advise the creation of a new, Sports for Life program in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. The pair traveled to the war-torn region in March 2006 to deliver wheelchairs, crutches and orthopedic devices to patients. They also consulted with therapists and social workers about possible beneficial uses for sports and recreation. Lewis returned to the United States and has been involved in pressing political (spoke to congress in June), business and philanthropic leaders for a stronger commitment to disability sport both here and in the developing world. Lewis was also honored with a JB award (named in honor of CBS broadcaster James Brown) during the 2006 off-season and received the "Act of Kindness" Award for his tireless work in the community.
In addition to his efforts in the community Lewis is also an accomplished businessman. He opened the Ray Lewis Full Moon Bar-B-Que located in Baltimore's Canton neighborhood in February 2005. He has also gained several national corporate endorsements, some of which draw upon his tough image. In 2004, Lewis was placed on the cover of the highly popular Madden NFL 2005 video game distributed by EA Sports.
In his free time Lewis enjoys fishing, bowling, and basketball. He is a film buff whose favorite film is 300. Is also an avid fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat and is a fan of the R & B music genre.
Ray Lewis: THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE FUTURE HALL OF FAMER!
