Speaking from the heart, Lewis covered many topics during his 33-minute talk.
Before many of his games, Ravens’ linebacker Ray Lewis would quote the movie Gladiator: “At my signal, unleash hell.” But before he took the stage at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, Saturday night, Lewis looked a bit nervous.
Clad in his Hall of Fame jacket and a Ravens purple tie, he nervously wiped away sweat, shook hands with fellow Class of 2018 inductee Brian Dawkins… and then, proceeded to unleash hell.
Courtesy: Fox News
Lewis is believed to be the first of the 318 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees to speak from in front of the podium, moving from side to side onstage as if he was a preacher or motivational speaker–much as he did on the Ravens’ sideline and in the locker room during a 17-year career.
It was a career that produced 13 Pro Bowls, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and two Super Bowl wins, one including a game-MVP as well. And Lewis is the only player in NFL history to have both 40 career sacks and 30 interceptions.
His 33-minute-long speech – three short of Brett Favre’s record for longest acceptance address – caused Lewis’ gold jacket to be soaked with sweat when he was finished.
Even though Lewis is a Lakeland, FL native, he shouted the word “Baltimore” several times and acknowledged the presence of head coach John Harbaugh and majority owner Steve Bisciotti. Seven current Ravens, all of whom played with Lewis, made the trip as well.
The induction stage was moved from one end zone to the center of the far-side sideline so that more floor seating could be installed for an anticipated larger-than-usual crowd. Team president Dick Cass, former defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, current coordinator Don Martindale, teammate Ed Reed (who is first-time-eligible for the Hall next year), and Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps were among others in attendance.
Also present was fellow Hall of Famer, Jonathan Ogden, who paired with Lewis to do the “squirrel” dance during the speech.
In front of a record crowd of 22,205, Lewis paid tribute to late owner Art Modell, who passed away just as Lewis’ last season (2012) was beginning.
“Without Art’s vision, we don’t bless a city the way we blessed Baltimore,” Lewis said. “This team taught a man (how to play) grown-man football.”
Lewis acknowledged his family’s presence during his tough times, especially during his 2000 double-murder trial. Lewis was eventually convicted of obstructing justice and did not serve jail time. “I never had my father physically touch me and tell me he loved me… all those things I miss is why I did what I did,” Lewis said. “It’s amazing the way my family fights together… you guys gave me all the love I needed. “
Towards the end of his speech, Lewis quoted Dr. Martin Luther King and exhorted the crowd to help solve the world’s problems. “Hope, faith and love,” Lewis said. “And the greatest of these is love…. We must come together as brothers and sisters. “Anyone can serve. Anyone can be a leader.”
CANTON, OH – AUGUST 04: Ray Lewis speaks during the 2018 NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 4, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Lewis spoke as one of this year’s five-member modern-day player class, which includes linebacker Brian Urlacher, wide receivers Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, and safety Brian Dawkins.
But Owens was the first inductee since the Hall opened in 1963 to skip the ceremony, opting instead to hold his own event at his college alma mater, the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. There, and in typical Owens’ style, he answered a fan’s shout, “We love you, T.O!” with “Thank you, but I love me more.”
This year’s class also includes two senior-level nominees–guard Jerry Kramer and linebacker Robert Brazile–as well as former GM Bobby Beathard, who entered in the ‘Contributor’ category.
Lewis’ induction comes five years after Jonathan Ogden’s entrance. Those two were the Ravens’ first draft picks in franchise history–Ogden taken fourth, Lewis taken 26th, in 1996. They are the only two homegrown Ravens in the Hall, although others who have worn the Baltimore uniform are also enshrined (see ‘Local Inductees’ at the end of this article).
Like most sports halls of fame, the Pro Football version does not officially attach a team affiliation to any nominee. Baseball’s Cooperstown, New York-based museum is the only one that does. A logo is affixed to every player’s cap on the plaque that is displayed there.
In a poignant irony, the first-ever Baltimore-based NFL player to make the Hall–Colts tackle Art Donovan–passed away five years ago to the day, just as Ogden was being introduced as the first Raven inducted.
Courtesy: Herald and News
General manager Ozzie Newsome, who drafted the pair, delivered Ogden’s introductory speech. Lewis’ daughter, Diaymon, introduced her father.
Even though safety Ed Reed, linebacker Terrell Suggs, and guard Marshal Yanda are sure-fire bets to be inducted, the Ravens’ first majority owner, Modell, is still not a member–despite having made the final balloting twice, in 2002 and 2013.
Modell is now included with other owners and general managers in the ‘Contributor’ category. He could be one of two nominees chosen when that announcement is made later this month.
Two Contributor nominees are chosen for odd-numbered classes. One is submitted for even-numbered classes. Beathard, a GM at Miami, San Diego, and Washington, was this year’s nominee. He gained “yes” votes of at least 39 of the 48 media and ex-player personnel (80 percent) who serve on the Board of Electors.
The Contributor and Senior categories alternate by year regarding how many nominees are sent to the voting committee. For the 2019 class, it will be two Contributors and one Senior.
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ELIGIBLE PLAYERS, FUTURE YEARS
Here is a list of notable first-time eligible players for the next Hall of Fame class, as well as those in future classes. A number of former Ravens are also highlighted here; Matt Birk, Bart Scott, Todd Heap, Derrick Mason, Ricky Williams and Matt Stover are already eligible:
Class of 2019
Ed Reed
Champ Bailey
London Fletcher
Tony Gonzalez
Asante Samuel
Jonathan Vilma
Jordan Gross
Dallas Clark
Adrian Wilson
Vonta Leach
Willis McGahee
Nnamdi Asomugha
Brian Waters
Andre Gurode
Bryant McKinnie
Le’Ron McClain
Class of 2020
Reggie Wayne
Troy Polamalu
John Abraham
Lance Briggs
Maurice Jones-Drew
Patrick Willis
Class of 2021
Peyton Manning
Logan Mankins
Charles Woodson
Jared Allen
Heath Miller
Calvin Johnson
Class of 2022
Steve Smith, Sr.
Andre Johnson
Vince Wilfork
DeMarcus Ware
Anquan Boldin
Class of 2023
Jason Witten
Matt Forte
Nick Mangold
Darrelle Revis
Joe Thomas
Devin Hester
Dwight Freeney
James Harrison
LOCAL HALL OF FAMERS
With Ray Lewis’ induction, here is a list of Hall of Fame honorees that have Baltimore or Maryland pro/college football ties–listed by year of induction. If a player or coach made his primary mark outside of Baltimore, the years during which he played/coached in Charm City are listed in parentheses:
1968 — Colts DT Art Donovan
1969 — Colts RB Joe Perry (1961-62)1971 — Colts QB Y.A. Tittle (1948-49, AAFC; 1950, NFL)
1972 — Colts DE Gino Marchetti
1973 — Colts WR Raymond Berry; Colts T Jim Parker
1974 — T Mike McCormack (Colts head coach, 1980-81)
1975 — T Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State); Colts RB-WR Lenny Moore
1976 — DE Len Ford (Morgan State)
1978 — Colts head coach Weeb Ewbank (1954-62)
1979 — Colts QB John Unitas
1981 — Colts QB George Blanda (1950)
1985 — QB Roger Staubach (Navy)
1986 — LB Willie Lanier (Morgan State)
1989 — T Art Shell (Maryland State, now Maryland-Eastern Shore)
1990 — Colts LB Ted Hendricks (1969-73)
1992 — Colts TE John Mackey
1994 — RB Leroy Kelly (Morgan State); DE Randy White (Maryland)
1997 — Colts head coach Don Shula (1963-70)
1998 – LB Mike Singletary (Ravens linebacker coach, 1998)
1999 — TE Ozzie Newsome (Ravens general manager, 2002-present)
2009 — Ravens DB Rod Woodson (1998-2001)
2011 — Ravens CB Deion Sanders (2004-05); Ravens TE Shannon Sharpe (2000-01)
2013 — Ravens T Jonathan Ogden
2018 – Ravens LB Ray Lewis
