How Good Was Ray Lewis Actually? 

Even though he has been retired for almost 10 years he still has the highest selling Ravens Jersey. That shows how beloved he is by the City of Baltimore. He is to the Ravens what Cal Ripken is to the Orioles.

How good was Ray Lewis? Yes.

That 2012 season was so great. The Ravens beat Big Ben, Peyton, and Tom that year. All these rival/nemesis QBs fell to Baltimore that year.

I’m from Baltimore. I assume there’s a few of us here in the comments. But idk if people truly know how much this city loved this man. I was living in a shelter in 2006 when his charity allowed me to meet and shake hands with him. It’s part of the reason I got into football, played football and now can share it with my step kids. I’m a Cowboys fan. But thanks Ray. You taught me how to shake a man’s hand. Something my father wasn’t there to do. God bless another football life.

His pregame speeches were insane it got me wanting to play with the ravens even if I’m not at the stadium

He’s the leader of the Ravens flock. He is forever a Raven.

I’ll always love the ravens until I die because of the passion from Ray Lewis and the loyalty and I’ll always get the chills and wanna run through a wall whenever I watch videos about Ray Lewis

It was truly a blessing watching Ray Lewis and Ed Reed play. My 2 favorite players ever on the same team.

It’s actually weird to not see this man play anymore.

How good was Ray Lewis? He was essentially a quarterback on defense and an elite hall of fame top ten football player of all time. All of which is an understatement

I had no idea the 2000 defense was THAT dominant. I knew they were top 5 all time, but the excuse was always a cupcake qb schedule. I have never heard anyone bring up they are the only team ever to keep below 1k rushing yards on the season

I remember being in elementary school I was a Manning fan, my best friend was a Baltimore fan & eventually I found myself doing Ray’s dance at recess if I made a stop & shouting “Ray Lewis” proudly! I would go on to collect Lewis, Suggs, & Reed cards etc. There was no denying Ray’s greatness on the field. 💪

The face of the franchise for the ravens

As a Bengals fan.....this man haunted our dreams for years, much respect goat linebacker

I remember that 2000 year. Usually fans root for the offense to come out but I was more excited to see the defense. They were spectacular. Still remember they were down 14-0 to the Jets in one the last games of the season and came back and put 30+ on them. The Stadium was shaking, it was that loud.

Greatest MLB to ever grace the field. His physicality, leadership and intensity only rivals #56 LT

It’s actually insane to think about how young the ravens franchise is and found success pretty quickly.

I remember that 5 week td-less season. A bar owner, in Baltimore, camped out on the roof of his bar, and said he wasn't coming down until the Ravens scored a td. And he did it.

Ray Lewis started the "Play Like A Raven" montra in Baltimore. Even to this day, with Lamar Jackson being the QB and doing the amazing things he does, Ray will still ALWAYS be the face of the Ravens

I'm a die hard Chiefs fan and this dude is my favorite player ever in the position. He lit dudes up over the middle for 17 years.

4:40 most people just can't comprehend how amazing this was. It's the best ever. It's not even a discussion. They went the month of October without their offense scoring a touchdown, and won most of those games.

Growing up a Steelers fan, I hated seeing him line up across from Ben twice or three times a year. Dude was a problem always, and helped birth the greatest current rivalry in the NFL, much respect.

Had to fight back tears watching this. Thank you for the video. Absolutely enjoyed it! 👍🏽

Steelers fan checking in to make sure that they gave him the respect he deserves, total beast. I love the true rivalry, being the reason I like the ravens more than the browns and the bungals. Always in for a good game when the Steelers and ravens match up. Exited to see one more dance with Big Ben this weekend. Before you guys start to most likely dominate us.

Ray Lewis is a legend. He will never be forgotten. He is a real leader. Thank you very much for the interesting video!

I'm a Seahawks fan but the older I've become I've learned to also love players for what they do. I love Ray Lewis for not only his play but how he helps younger players and kids in the community. Ray is just an amazing guy.

I remember that hit on the thumbnail as a jets fan 😭😭 Sanchez threw Dustin keller a shallow cross and ray ray was just in the perfect position and didnt have to move much, he just squared up and lowered the boom on em and good up screaming woooooo like ric flair 😆😆😆Dustin keller didnt play for couple games after.that hit

He has the most tackles in nfl history…the person in second place is more than 200 tackles behind him and is already retired. He’s the greatest mlb to ever play the game.

Greatest raven ever greatest middle linebacker ever

Ray murdered it both on and off the field

I could write a book and how positively and fearlessly this man has affected my life. Too many words for a comment section. And for going through being afraid at every step of this harsh and brutal life. Greatly because of Ray Lewis speech’s and Journey through the NFL and getting to watch him play. I’m stronger in every way a man needs and is expected to be. To that Thanks Ray 🍻!

When i was starting to watch Football from Germany, First watched the SB against the 49ers so i dont know this men before. But after that normal Game for me i Had the pre Game Dance over a year as Desktop Pictures and Love to watch His career after that one. And now i am Happy to See that historical Game as my First to See that Legend win his Second one, Legend, Hall of Famer. Love him and No i am Not a Ravens Fan!

Ray Lewis a true legend

This is hard for me to say as a Steelers fan and how much we love LBS … He was the absolute best inside lb ever period….

Still gives me chills. He dominated in every metric, and even in heart which how do you measure it...

I LOVED watching him play. Especially against the colts. The absolute gamesmanship between him and Manning was a sight to behold

The tackle he made on that 4th down play against the chargers is one of my favorite plays of all time. Typical Lewis read the linemen and blow through the hole to make a solid tackle in the backfield to end the game.

Ravens fan since day 1 and old enough to watch the ravens come to the baltimore. Ray Lewis was everything as a leader and a linebacker.

UK nfl fan here - never gave nfl much thought until I saw an interview by ray lewis that got me interested. Saw videos on RU-vid and was hooked! Been a raven fan ever since 2010…legend

I’ll never forget ray hitting Chad Johnson making his helmet fly 15 yards back. . They had to stop the game

"How good was Ray Lewis actually?" The best. He was the best. Butkus and Lambert are undeniable legends, but Lewis stands alone at the top

This dude was a monster on the football field! I still remember that 2012 playoff game against the Broncos, everybody going against the Ravens and they still managed to come back and win the game in overtime.

This is a great video and very well done. Thank you for making it.

BEST Mike Linebacker of all time. Built the Bank to what it is now. Forever the leader of the old Flock, and single handily the most important player in Baltimore sports

Ray was a straight up killer……. on the field.

Thanks for taking a stab at this. Really killed it.

As a Steelers fan here I LOVED Ray Lewis....that rivalry will always be the best

He definitely learned from his time in court where he almost went away for life. He changed from just a guy to the leader everyone remembers him being. Ray Lewis was definitely one of a kind.

I remember watching him as a kid in the early 2000s and just being shocked that he was literally around the ball every single play. He was never out of position and I don't think I ever saw him miss a tackle.

Dude was a killer. What a beast!

You used to see it in hockey alot, like Rod Gilbert and the NY Rangers; occasionally in baseball. But in modern football you don't see a guy passing up the big bucks and gimme championship for TEAM AND CITY LOYALTY. Ray is a throwback to the old school. A balls to the wall true grit kind of guy

Since I was a kid witnessing him play! Never been more excited when I saw him play!

Met him in person a few times. Truly gracious, kind, and humble.

9:00 no one who wasn't a Ravens fan that year can describe what a magical feeling that year was. Nothing will ever top it. It was like.... divine.

One of my favorite players ever. Absolute beast.

Would love to see one of these on Steve young. To this day still my fav QB all time.

Insane how the Ravens were able to get a Lombardi in their first 4 years of existence…built possibly the best defense ever in 4 seasons lol

Ravens then: dominant defensive team with a will to play Ravens now: Greg Roman go brrrrr

Not even a ravens fan but I love watching ray hit stick players. Dude was a monster

Still get goosebumps from even thinking about it that Denver game in the playoffs 😩

what a legend

RAY LEWIS IS THE ONLY REASON WHY A GUY FROM HAWAII LOVES THE BALTIMORE RAVENS

Oh my goodness, i can’t hear Ray Lewis’s name without getting goosebumps 🪿 Haven’t seen a more dominant defensive player since. Period

The freakin best LB ever and I’m a Chicago guy. We had a lot of em. Ray was amazing

Watching this before our game against the rams today. What a great era to grow up watching the ravens! Or I guess the only era since they were convinced in 96 lol

God bless you guys Always keep God first

Pats fan here. Ray is my favorite linebacker of all time and going to battle against that defense in its prime was some of the best football I’ve ever watched. I loved that old rivalry.

I work and study in Baltimore and we still know him as a legend

Do Patrick Willis next

Even someone who doesn’t like the ravens has to admit that ray leeis is a beast and amazing

I will never forget watching Ray and Ed play together it was a thrill each and every week.

I saw him play many times in person. And it was some of the most electrifying football I’ve ever seen.

Hes by far the greatest Middle Linebacker to ever play. Could he cover some ground in the middle of the field. The closest thing I saw to him was maybe a prime Patrick Willis. Bit that's more of a run stopping side line to sideline comparison than anything else. Lewis may be the best defensive player to ever play. I'm a Minnesota Vikings fan, but I'd have to say he is the best defender ever.

He murdered the opposition.

Just one guy. A middle linebacker, had so much impact on the game. Killah

The 2000 ravens defense was insane. Hands down the greatest defense to ever play. Watching that defense play was beautiful. There will never be a linebacker in the league like Ray Lewis.

Best MLB to ever Play the game!

2:30 Two literal GOATs in a row lmao. One single round. The first of the franchises history. Amazing man

It’s not often you can say that you’re excited to see defence but Ray and his Ravens were the exception to that. That unit in 2000 didn’t simply stifle offences as other good defences do, it dismantled them. Good offences that not only were going 3-and-out repeatedly, but often losing yards in the process. Brutal and brilliant.

Favorite player ever, I haven’t followed the nfl since he retired. Polk County Legend 👑💪🏾

Greatest middle linebacker of all time but second greatest linebacker of all time next Lawrence Taylor cuz they both were scary and they love to hit people

Not my favorite Linebacker but he is one of the best

I remember in 95 I wasn't much of a Football Fan so I didn't follow any team and living in Southern Delaware and the Ravens came along I decided to make them my Team because all my Buddies had Teams and would go to the Bar on Sundays to watch the Game . I remember watching the Preseasons first game and Ray jumped off the screen to me I always was a Fan of defense and I loved MLB my favorite player to that point was Mike Singletary and that quickly changed the minute I saw Ray . I went the next weekend bought his Jersey which I still own and that was it . Ray meant everything to Our Team and embodied the passion we all have for the Franchise all I can say is Thank you Ray you were and still are the Greatest 👿😈👿😈👿😈

Even as a lifer Steelers fan, I have to give it up for Ray. Where I would have loved to have him on out team. Ray being on the Ravens, along the likes of Reed and Suggs, Made that era one of the best rivalries between Ravens, and Steelers the best in sports. Man those games were always intense.

Imagine being lined up against him in his prime? Terrifying!

The best defensive player of all time. Won 2 super bowls and never had a legit offense. Even in his late 30s, was near the ball every down.

Simply the greatest linebacker ever to play the game. He defined the position, and he motivated/elevated every player on the field with him. No linebacker has ever been as influential to his team than Ray Lewis was to the Ravens.

He was the best to ever play the position. Could ballhawk, make plays and stuff the run as well as any LB, was as feared of a hitter as anyone, was the General and brains of the defense, also the heart and soul, and was as feared and respected by his opponents as anyone to ever play

They weren't the upstart Ravens. That team was relocated to Baltimore after spending decades in Cleveland under the name "Browns".

After the power outage sf came out surging haha I see what u did there

Even though the Niners lost that game, gotta admit, Ray was GREAT! Wish he was on my team. Forever a great Raven!

Ray Lewis Rocks was the name of my instagram account in second grade. i still get chills thinking about that 2012 run. Such a great team. I love my city!!!!!!!!!!!

He is the reason the Ravens have been my team since '99

Did he say that ray lewis sealed the first win to Baltimore in history?

This channel is amazing

That about sums up my opinion of Ray Lewis. Great video.

Ray Lewis was a killer... and really good at football too

A killer on and off the field

I'm from Baltimore and I'll tell you he is more than a football player he is an inspiration to everyone here of what it means to work hard and give your all. He speaks like a preacher but hits like Bobby Boucher.

Ray Was the guy that made me love defense and the Ravens.