Ray Lewis

One of the NFL’s greats and future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis is an inspiration to people all over the world. The struggles and hardship he endured light a fire in him to strive for better even when the cards weren’t in his favor. His dedication made him into a strong and wise leader of a Super Bowl winning team. As a motivational speaker as well he helps people get confidence to make something of themselves no matter what. His story lets people know that even though times get rough if you fight and believe in yourself you can make your own legacy. The great linebacker and motivator Ray Anthony Lewis was born on May 15, 1975, in Florida. In his early childhood Lewis’s father was not in his life very often, therefore it was just him, his four younger siblings, and sixteen year old mother. He quickly filled the role of being the man of the house. As he entered Kathleen High School he took the name of his mother’s boyfriend where he would become forever known as Ray Anthony Lewis Jr. In High School Lewis took his intensity and instincts and became a top wrestler and football linebacker even though he was smaller than the others. He quickly became the school’s best in each sport and helped them win several city and state titles. He soon received a full scholarship to enroll in the University of Miami where he became a vital piece in their defense. Overall, ranked fifth for most tackles in the school’s record books and in his junior year was runner up for the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker. After college Lewis declared for the draft and in the spring of 1996 the Ravens made him a first round pick. Out of the gate Lewis was a force and led the Ravens in tackles his rookie year. In 2000, arguably Lewis’s best year where he led the Ravens to a Super Bowl Title, and took home the game’s MVP in the win and also was named Defensive player of the year but in that year Lewis faced the biggest obstacle he would ever have to overcome. In the spring