Ray Lewis to retire after season
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said Wednesday he plans to retire as the end of this season.
He told the team Wednesday that, "this is my last ride.''
The 37-year-old was placed on the injured reserve-designated to return list after tearing his right triceps on Oct. 14. He returned to practice on Dec. 5, and in order for him to be eligible for the playoffs, the Ravens added him to the active roster later in the month.
He's not ready to say if he's going to be healthy enough to play Sunday in the Ravens' playoff game against the Colts. All he said was that he's on the active roster.
UPDATE: From Jamison Hensley
Time for Ravens to send out Lewis a winner
There will always be a debate whether Ray Lewis was the greatest defensive player in NFL history. Where there should be no argument is this: He's the greatest leader in league history.
Ray Lewis was great, but greater than Lawrence Taylor? Ronnie Lott? Reggie White? Dick Butkus?The odds are certainly against it. The Ravens are extremely banged up. They backed into the playoffs by losing four of their last five games.
But the Ravens have a rallying point unlike any other team in the postseason. Win one for Ray. Win one for the greatest defensive player of his generation. Win one for the player who has defined the Ravens in Baltimore.
Over his 17-year career, Lewis has put this team and franchise on his back. How many times did the Ravens with win Lewis and defense when they didn't have a quarterback? How many times did they win with a Lewis tackle like the one in San Diego a few year ago? How many times did they win because of one of his interceptions or deflected passes?
But it's more than what Lewis has done on the field. No one has been able to motivate a team like Lewis. And Lewis is a motivator to the end, announcing his retirement just days before the start of the playoffs.
Lewis has put together a Hall of Fame career. His teammates can give him a storybook ending.
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/62522/time-for-ravens-to-send-out-lewis-a-winner
Jesus, I'm ready to cry...
UPDATE: From the Ravens' Website...
Ray Lewis Announces His Retirement
This Sunday’s game could be Ray Lewis’ last after 17 years in the league.
This is Ray Lewis
’ final ride.
The Ravens linebacker announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of this season after 17 years of being one of the most dominant players the league has ever known.
“Everything that starts has an end. It’s just life. And for me, today I told my team that this will be my last ride,” Lewis said.
“I told them I just felt so much peace at where I am with my decision because of everything I’ve done in this league. I’ve done it, man.”
A triceps injury suffered on Oct. 14 against the Dallas Cowboys made Lewis think about his future and retirement. He made the decision that he wanted to come back one more time before hanging it up. He went through grueling rehabilitation just to return to the field one last time.
Lewis said he will play this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium. It could be the final time he walks onto that field in uniform.
Lewis informed his teammates of his decision in a team meeting Wednesday morning, telling them it was time to be men and that everything comes to an end. Lewis realized he wanted to with his family when he returned home to Florida for rehab.
"It's amazing and it's sad all at the same time,” outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said.
"I can't picture Baltimore without him,” an emotional Ray Rice said. “Baltimore is Ray Lewis.”
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