Rob Long: Ray Lewis Didn't Apologize
Former Baltimore Ravens great Ray Lewis sat down with Fox Sports 1 Jason Whitlock to talk football. Ray talked about the inconsistency of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. When Whitlock asked about the inconsistency of the Ravens signal caller, Lewis eventually fired back by saying, "There's something called talent, and you see it a dime a dozen. Then, there's something called being passionate about what you do."
Lewis went on to admit the nine-year veteran quarterback was gifted, but seemed to question his commitment to his teammates. Lewis went on to say, "Teammates figure out how to create this core that we all get along." While some have focused on what they see from Joe Flacco during the game, Lewis' comments seem to question Flacco's commitment to the "team" more than anything.
When Jason Whitlock compared Joe Flacco to Jay Cutler, the Hall of Fame middle linebacker pointed out that no one ever went out of their way to defend Joe to say he's the greatest teammate ever.
Ray Lewis has never struck any of us as the type of guy that would put others first. He was a great teammate largely because he was a great player. That still does not discredit what he has to has. You may not like the messenger but listen to the message. Even if you like the messenger but not the delivery, still listen to what he has to say.
As an observer, I'm more inclined to question Joe Flacco's commitment because of what I've seen long before Ray Lewis ever uttered a word. I see the same mistakes from Flacco in year nine that I saw in year one.
I don't need Lewis to tell me that. He only confirms it.
I hear comments from the coaches that Flacco was not around for them to contact him about things involving the team. Ray Lewis did not have to tell me that.
Sure, let's use this time to point out the flaws of Ray Lewis because he said something that's been painfully obvious if you've been watching. I wish the words coming from Ray were out of place because I could defend Joe. I cannot. I can only get upset with Ray for making his feeling public but I'm not. I'm not upset about that at all.
Ray Lewis later issued what he called an apology. I don't call what Lewis posted on social media an apology. I call it yet another dig. It was like saying, "I'm sorry that you're offended."
He said what he said because it was from the heart. If his comments to Jason Whitlock were staged, and I believe they were, he raises some interesting points from a man who once shared a locker room with Joe Flacco. I don't want his loyalties to be with his former teammate, I want it to be with his former team.
