Celebrating #52: Ray Lewis Joins Ravens Ring Of Honor This Weekend
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Baltimore Ravens give one of their former star linebackers the highest honor this weekend.
Ray Lewis will join the Ravens' Ring of Honor.
Christie Ileto has more on the excitement swirling around the former Ravens star.
Sunday will undoubtedly be a time for the retired Raven and for Ravens Nation to reflect on 17 years of accomplishments both on and off the field.
Friday might mean:
"I've got my purple on, it's Purple Friday. Got to have it," said Joan Dixon.
But what Ravens Nation is getting excited about is:
"I do have number 52 on," a fan said.
Former star linebacker, two-time Super Bowl champ and now sports analyst, Ray Lewis, is the newest former Raven to join the franchise's Ring of Honor at Sunday's game against Houston at M&T Bank Stadium.
"At the start of the game, it's probably going to be a lot. Emotions are going to be very high to see the general back," said current Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs.
Lewis joins an elite group that includes six other Ravens players--like Jamal Lewis, Jonathan Ogden and Michael McCrary--along with owner Art Modell and eight Baltimore Colts.
"I don't think I need to describe what Ray means to the organization or to football, and what he's come to mean in a lot of ways to anybody that follows football in our country," said coach John Harbaugh.
Players immortalized in the team's Ring of Honor aren't just extremely talented athletes, they also display traits of good character, courage and humility.
In a telephone interview this week, Lewis measured the success of his 17 years with the Ravens, saying: "That's the only way you reflect on your career, is by how you impact the people."
"No one could ever do what Ray has done for the whole town," said Kim Meyers.
"I feel like he's one of the greatest players in the NFL," said Ian Fowler.
Fans continue to be changed by his on and off the field bigger than life persona, but the big question come Sunday is: Will he do his famous dance?
That's something we'll just have to wait and see.
Lewis isn't the only player returning to M&T Bank Stadium. Ed Reed makes a return, wearing a Houston Texans jersey.
