Ray Lewis Weighs In On Lockout

[gabefergy]

Ray Lewis has an interview with Sal Paolantonio. It wouldnt surprise him if losing football has a serious effect on the common fan/worker manifesting in increased crime.

He also comments on how the lockout stems from the Egos of owners and players, which I agree with entirely. Lets get this thing worked out!

[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6575570"]link[/url]

[BmoreRaised]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1306093637' post='689475']
Ray Lewis has an interview with Sal Paolantonio. It wouldnt surprise him if losing football has a serious effect on the common fan/worker manifesting in increased crime.

He also comments on how the lockout stems from the Egos of owners and players, which I agree with entirely. Lets get this thing worked out!

[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6575570"]link[/url]
[/quote]
lol is crime goin to rise? in baltimore city? always a possibility with or without the strike loljk anyways i dont know maybe stadium employees ? i dont know bit of an overstatement

[berad]

A lot of the players have already gotten into trouble, off-the-field. I don't know if that's an increase from other years or is from the lockout, but it's something to look at. Ray's right in the fact that this lockout affects more than just the owners/players.

[Ravens Lover]

I do feel comfort thugh in the integrity of this squad though with the players Harbs put in place. The only 2 I'm worried about are Jimmy Smith and Housh

[theFRANCHISE]

I'm reading a lot of people mocking Ray Lewis on Twitter for his comments.

While I'll admit that Ray is exaggerating when he says crime could hit an all-time high, criminologists will tell you that there's a school of thought to support Ray's comments. Crime occurs when a motivated offender has: 1) a target; 2) a lack of suitable guardians for that target; 3) a moment where opportunity outweighs risk or consequences; and 4) little or nothing to lose.

In the most extreme cases, motivated offenders, particularly juvenile deliquents, are more likely to commit crime if there is no football this fall because they no longer have an investment or distraction on Sundays. Especially in the case of juveniles, crime could rise out of a combination of sheer boredom and extremely poor judgment in certain areas.

[grape drank]

well friday/saturday night football keeps people inside that night watching the game instead of out on the streets. And if they're out on the street then they have that brotherhood that comes along with being a die hard raven's fan.

[Bltravens]

Whats the saying "idle time is the devils time" or something like that I cant remember.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1306103032' post='689510']
[b]I'm reading a lot of people mocking Ray Lewis on Twitter for his comments.[/b]

[b]While I'll admit that Ray is exaggerating when he says crime could hit an all-time high, criminologists will tell you that there's a school of thought to support Ray's comments.[/b] Crime occurs when a motivated offender has: 1) a target; 2) a lack of suitable guardians for that target; 3) a moment where opportunity outweighs risk or consequences; and 4) little or nothing to lose.

In the most extreme cases, motivated offenders, particularly [b]juvenile deliquents, are more likely to commit crime if there is no football this fall because they no longer have an investment or distraction on Sundays. Especially in the case of juveniles, crime could rise out of a combination of sheer boredom [/b]and extremely poor judgment in certain areas.
[/quote]

then....Ray's statement wasn't exagerated!

my dad was a deputy sheriff and use to always say that crime is at an all time high during the summer months due to the warmth outside and the "opportunities" that criminals see (i.e. vacationers etc.) to commit crimes. that was Ray's point! people's response to it is exagerated! plus, as Ray mentioned, there are more people affected by the lockout besides the players. stadium personel and their families suffer without this game!

~Mili

[bdravens]

I've seen his interviews before, but this was one of his more emotional and animated interviews that I've seen. If the NFL won't listen to one of the all time greats, or at the VERY least take notice to what he's saying about crime, then we have a bigger problem on our hands.

[Raven07]

i feel lik Ray has something to this.. reason being because, since the lockout went into effect, 13 NFL players have been arrested , and im sure that number will continue to rise ..whether this is in part of the lockout rules of teams not allowed to be connected to their players or whatever it may be.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81f6e32a/article/thirteen-players-arrested-since-lockout-started-march-12?module=HP_headlines

no structure in place, players are getting into trouble, who need the structure

[purple.n.black]

Watching it now. Its so powerful

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

I just saw what Ray said and I have never been prouder than I feel right now! If you can mock a man like Ray, how can you look in a mirror? Red me all you want!!!!

[grantkyle2003]

I support ray and the ravens till I die but I just dont know where he is coming from with these comments. To say crime will go up without football is outragous. You cant convince me that for 1 day out of the week all the criminals and murderers will not commit the ussual crimes, or say that they will be good during football season. I would advise ray ray to go on baltimore sun, wjz or even search yahoo and you can clearly see the crime and murder rates in the past 8 years have ethier rised alittle year to year or doubled. People dont even want to go down to the harbor because people are getting shot and stabbed in braw daylight on a weekday. Crime will always be rampent in this city as well as other cities in the country but to say without football it will be an alltime high is just poorly misinformed. I like when people say they dont know what they will do on sundays without football....... what are you doing now? Comments like rays just come off as a cheap wine and excuse to force a deal.

[Moderator 3]

Actually, a number of studies have shown that crime rates drop during major sporting events. Don't believe me...Google it. It's true.

[grantkyle2003]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1306175729' post='689741']
Actually, a number of studies have shown that crime rates drop during major sporting events. Don't believe me...Google it. It's true.
[/quote]


Ok so if were talking just football, then you mean to tell me that on sundays for 4 hours of a ball game ravens fans who are criminals will be good? That is beyond comprehension. There is no definitive proof that without a certain sport crime sky rocketed for a particular area in the U.S. So what about when baseball was on strike or hockey? Its like me saying if 2 and a half men doesnt come back on then crime will sky rocket in baltimore on monday nights, I would hope we are more evolved as a society then that. Right now are people just mindless zombies wandering around there houses on sunday afternoons? whats the difference between now and october sundays? Theres more to life then football and if a persons life is that fragile where if there isnt football games on and they feel the need to go commit crimes then Im sorry but were doomed as a country. I dont mind the poustering from fans but some stuff they and players say is beyond ludacris.



On a side note too if were talking studies then what about the studies that show drunk driving deaths after a game or muggings on the light rail after games or people getting into car accidents from close driving between people leaving the stadiums. crimes and accidents have a potential to be higher during games if you ask me. How about if ray ray wants to make a statement why dont he come out and say the restaraunts in and around the stadium will take a huge financial lose and potentialy go under since they depend on football games to get business to carry them through the offseason, as well as mom and pop shops that sell just ravens gear?

[lowrider]

[quote name='grantkyle2003' timestamp='1306177697' post='689753']
Ok so if were talking just football, then you mean to tell me that on sundays for 4 hours of a ball game ravens fans who are criminals will be good? That is beyond comprehension. There is no definitive proof that without a certain sport crime sky rocketed for a particular area in the U.S. So what about when baseball was on strike or hockey? Its like me saying if 2 and a half men doesnt come back on then crime will sky rocket in baltimore on monday nights, I would hope we are more evolved as a society then that. Right now are people just mindless zombies wandering around there houses on sunday afternoons? whats the difference between now and october sundays? Theres more to life then football and if a persons life is that fragile where if there isnt football games on and they feel the need to go commit crimes then Im sorry but were doomed as a country. I dont mind the poustering from fans but some stuff they and players say is beyond ludacris.



On a side note too if were talking studies then what about the studies that show drunk driving deaths after a game or muggings on the light rail after games or people getting into car accidents from close driving between people leaving the stadiums. crimes and accidents have a potential to be higher during games if you ask me. How about if ray ray wants to make a statement why dont he come out and say the restaraunts in and around the stadium will take a huge financial lose and potentialy go under since they depend on football games to get business to carry them through the offseason, as well as mom and pop shops that sell just ravens gear?
[/quote]
I see your point. I mean I think he is exaggerating a little bit but I see where Ray is coming from. Football does a lot of good. And without that good, what do people do with that time. But I think if there was a fall in interest of football for whatever reason, either the lockout or change in society I think there would be a rise in something else. But overall its tough to disagree with Ray's main point of, this lockout isn't good for anyone, and it is a petty subject compared to the more important things in life.

On another note, I love this video. Ray is just inspirational and is a prime example of a great leader and person.

[RedFire]

ray will def make a good WWE chracter. been sayin it for years.

his dancing, durag/skully, and soap opera dramatics would be better than the rock.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='grantkyle2003' timestamp='1306177697' post='689753']
Ok so if were talking just football, then you mean to tell me that on sundays for 4 hours of a ball game ravens fans who are criminals will be good? That is beyond comprehension. There is no definitive proof that without a certain sport crime sky rocketed for a particular area in the U.S. So what about when baseball was on strike or hockey? Its like me saying if 2 and a half men doesnt come back on then crime will sky rocket in baltimore on monday nights, I would hope we are more evolved as a society then that. Right now are people just mindless zombies wandering around there houses on sunday afternoons? whats the difference between now and october sundays? Theres more to life then football and if a persons life is that fragile where if there isnt football games on and they feel the need to go commit crimes then Im sorry but were doomed as a country. I dont mind the poustering from fans but some stuff they and players say is beyond ludacris.

On a side note too if were talking studies then what about the studies that show drunk driving deaths after a game or muggings on the light rail after games or people getting into car accidents from close driving between people leaving the stadiums. crimes and accidents have a potential to be higher during games if you ask me. How about if ray ray wants to make a statement why dont he come out and say the restaraunts in and around the stadium will take a huge financial lose and potentialy go under since they depend on football games to get business to carry them through the offseason, as well as mom and pop shops that sell just ravens gear?
[/quote]
That, in itself, is an exaggeration of the main point being made about crime.

The point that Ray was getting at (that he, again, embellished a little) was that crime is significantly decreased in major cities during sporting events because of the distraction that it provides. Without that distraction, people act out of boredom or just plain stupidity. Crimes will never go away, but they [i]are[/i] deterred by distractions and other time investments.

As for the potential for drunk-driving and other such crimes related to gameday, while the potential [i]does[/i] exist, the statistics show that there isn't much of an effect either way. Drunken driving, car accidents, and robberies will always occur in a major metropolitan area. The element of alcohol during a football game doesn't spike that activity by much when you consider the expensive cost of beer at stadiums, as well as increased police presence on gameday.

[RedFire]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1306187185' post='689806']
That, in itself, is an exaggeration of the main point being made about crime.

The point that Ray was getting at (that he, again, embellished a little) was that crime is significantly decreased in major cities during sporting events because of the distraction that it provides. Without that distraction, people act out of boredom or just plain stupidity. Crimes will never go away, but they [i]are[/i] deterred by distractions and other time investments.

As for the potential for drunk-driving and other such crimes related to gameday, while the potential [i]does[/i] exist, the statistics show that there isn't much of an effect either way. Drunken driving, car accidents, and robberies will always occur in a major metropolitan area. The element of alcohol during a football game doesn't spike that activity by much when you consider the expensive cost of beer at stadiums, as well as increased police presence on gameday.
[/quote]



true.

college football..people driving back after tailgates with the RV's etc are mostly under the influrnce. state troppers and campus police don't care as long as you don't crash into anyone. they don't set up check-points or anything and I been to games at Penn state, UMD, UVA,& Clemson. especially if the school is a pure college town in the middle of nowhere you just gotta be able to stand up and the drinking age doesn't exsist, lol. I def walked by a trooper at a college football game with a cozzy covering up a beer when i was 18/19yrs old. long as they can't tell...they don't care.

obvi it's a lil different at a pro sports events, but there is some margin for intoxication.

[Moderator 2]

Well Ray's statement made Leno tonite lol

[TheRavenouseD2008]

I think everyone is misunderstanding what he is saying , the crime rate among nfl player will rise . and to be honest it has 18 players arrested already normaly arround this time its only asbout 5 so a big jump . more free time and lotsa money and a little immaturity = bad things . so he is indeed right

[grantkyle2003]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1306187185' post='689806']
That, in itself, is an exaggeration of the main point being made about crime.

The point that Ray was getting at (that he, again, embellished a little) was that crime is significantly decreased in major cities during sporting events because of the distraction that it provides. Without that distraction, people act out of boredom or just plain stupidity. Crimes will never go away, but they [i]are[/i] deterred by distractions and other time investments.

[b]As for the potential for drunk-driving and other such crimes related to gameday, while the potential [i]does[/i] exist, the statistics show that there isn't much of an effect either way. Drunken driving, car accidents, and robberies will always occur in a major metropolitan area. The element of alcohol during a football game doesn't spike that activity by much when you consider the expensive cost of beer at stadiums, as well as increased police presence on gameday.[/b][/quote]



I have to respectively disagree with you on this. Do you know how many drunk stumbling loud idiots I have seen at ravens games? People ethier get trashed before the game or in the stadium. I repeat there are no definitive connections to spikes in crime and the NFL or any sport for that matter. There will always be crime in this city and country regardless if a team sport is played or not. You cant convince me that a robber will say to his buddies "hey lets wait till the game is over to rob that liqour store on the corner." And to the other poster, if ray is talking about players then that is a different topic all together but he painted with a broad stroke and said crime will go up with out football.

[Ravenslifer]

If he meant that more players will get in trouble without the structure of OTAs and training camps yeah I can see that. But it sounded like he was talking about fans who, when faced with the possibility of no football, will turn to crime to fill that extra time. I don't know about you, but I just don't see how a fan who has the means to be able to afford to watch football on Sundays is suddenly going to look around and say "Hey, there's no football today, what should I do? Oh, maybe I'll go down to Radio Shack and steal some VCRs."

[Ravens>Steelers]

it's one day of the week people! from 1-4. I'm sorry, but you cannot convince me that for one day for a few hours, the crime will decrease. It is a HUGE stretch to say that crime will increase if there is no football. The lockout is going to affect businesses more than crime.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='grantkyle2003' timestamp='1306170720' post='689712']
I support ray and the ravens till I die but I just dont know where he is coming from with these comments. To say crime will go up without football is outragous. You cant convince me that for 1 day out of the week all the criminals and murderers will not commit the ussual crimes, or say that they will be good during football season. I would advise ray ray to go on baltimore sun, wjz or even search yahoo and you can clearly see the crime and murder rates in the past 8 years have ethier rised alittle year to year or doubled. People dont even want to go down to the harbor because people are getting shot and stabbed in braw daylight on a weekday. Crime will always be rampent in this city as well as other cities in the country but to say without football it will be an alltime high is just poorly misinformed. I like when people say they dont know what they will do on sundays without football....... what are you doing now? Comments like rays just come off as a cheap wine and excuse to force a deal.
[/quote]

That's just it, its not just 1 day out of the week. There are people that feed their families because of the Ravens and other NFL franchises.

I used to work at the Ravens stadium and I can tell you first hand, there isn't a lot of people working there who are financially secure. Most of the people who you see on Sunday's serving you, beer and food, actually need those jobs to feed their families, and even with those pay checks they continue to struggle.

Most of those people live in the inner city, and I know from experience, it's tough living in the inner city, it's even tougher when you don't have a job. Right now jobs are really tough to come by, and for most of those employees, the various staffing agencies at M&T Bank are the only jobs they can come by.

As I said before, I used to work there when I was 17-19 years old and I dealt with most of the people who worked there. From the people working the concession stands, to the people working the gates collecting ticket, to the people in Will Call, to the people walking the stands selling product, to the people who work in the gift shops, to the people who show you to your seat, to the people who actually cleaned the stadium and parking lot after the game, to the people outside the Stadium selling items, to the people like me who you didn't see, to even the local bar and grill surrounding the stadium, there are Thousands of people who depend on the football season to feed their families. That's just M&T Bank, there are 31 other franchises and I'm sure each one has thousands of inner city people who depend on those jobs at the Stadium.

Now I'm not saying murders and rapes and crimes of that nature will rise and I don't think Ray meant it in that fashion either. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see self crime, domestic crimes, and other lesser crimes to a extend rise.

People do strange things when money or the lack thereof is involved. It's been said that a idle mind is the Devil's workshop. Well add that to the fact that some poor man or woman can't feed their 3 kids because the job they depended on is taken away and things often get bad for anyone around them. It's a shame that the world is like that, but it is.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Ravens>Steelers' timestamp='1306299727' post='690463']
it's one day of the week people! from 1-4. I'm sorry, but you cannot convince me that for one day for a few hours, the crime will decrease. It is a HUGE stretch to say that crime will increase if there is no football. The lockout is going to affect businesses more than crime.
[/quote]

Have you or anyone you've ever known been forced to roam the streets wondering where your next meal will come from? Or better yet, be consistently turned down for job after job after job, while you're kids are home being forced to eat in portions because you don't know whens the next time you'll be able to feed them?

That stuff sounds harsh, and when you see it on the news, it appears as just another story. However when you either live it or close enough to it, that either your neighbor or family member lived it, it's real.

Lots of people depend on M&T Bank Stadium and other sporting Stadium around the world to feed their families.

Desperate times calls for desperate measure, and unfortunately for most of the people who live similar to what I just describe, desperate measure usually means, If i don't have it, I'll take it. Feeling like you've been backed into a corner, and all you're trying to do is feed your kids, makes people do foolish things. From taking, lives, food, money, valuable goods, or whatever that individual feels he or she needs to do to get by.

Everyone will have their different views of what Ray said opposed to what Ray meant. However I personally agree. Crime will rise without a full season of football. Crime will also rise with football being played, so it's kind of an open ended statement.

[Ravens>Steelers]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1306309174' post='690486']
Have you or anyone you've ever known been forced to roam the streets wondering where your next meal will come from? Or better yet, be consistently turned down for job after job after job, while you're kids are home being forced to eat in portions because you don't know whens the next time you'll be able to feed them?

That stuff sounds harsh, and when you see it on the news, it appears as just another story. However when you either live it or close enough to it, that either your neighbor or family member lived it, it's real.

Lots of people depend on M&T Bank Stadium and other sporting Stadium around the world to feed their families.

Desperate times calls for desperate measure, and unfortunately for most of the people who live similar to what I just describe, desperate measure usually means, If i don't have it, I'll take it. Feeling like you've been backed into a corner, and all you're trying to do is feed your kids, makes people do foolish things. From taking, lives, food, money, valuable goods, or whatever that individual feels he or she needs to do to get by.

Everyone will have their different views of what Ray said opposed to what Ray meant. However I personally agree. Crime will rise without a full season of football. Crime will also rise with football being played, so it's kind of an open ended statement.
[/quote]

Go work fast food then if you can't get a job anywhere else. And I worked at the stadium before and if you wanna tell me that those 6 hours a week can support a family, then I'd like to know where you buy your groceries

[George70]

It's been only a little while now since Ray Lewis made his remarks, and I just wish to say that Ray has a case here. Sports do provide a decent and better alternative to criminal activity, and when someone is occupied with a sporting event, or even such a thing as a sports simulation board game, as I like to do, the desire to do something that is, shall we say, sinister, is not there or is decreased.

This is just what I feel in regard to the remarks of Ray Lewis, and I hope I haven't bored you with my remarks.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Ravens>Steelers' timestamp='1306353582' post='690659']
Go work fast food then if you can't get a job anywhere else. And I worked at the stadium before and if you wanna tell me that those 6 hours a week can support a family, then I'd like to know where you buy your groceries
[/quote]

I worked in the warehouse of the stadium and we worked 7 days a week for home games and 5 days on away games. We had to arrive at the stadium at 6am for 1pm games on Sunday, so I don't know where you're 6 hours a week came from, but there are people who do rely on that job to feed their families. If you don't know that struggle then congratulations, but don't act like it doesn't exist.

Oh and I don't know if you've noticed, but there are people with college degrees who are currently trying to find work at a fast food places, that have been unsuccessful. So go work fast food isn't as easy as it sounds.

[big hits and ball hawks]

Crime isn't just murder and robbery, just throwing that out there. I think petty crimes like vandalism, disturbing the peace, and shoplifting would be the types of crimes to increase. I don't think the increase in crimes would be jaw dropping but I do think they could very well increase. Those crimes would be what I'd expect would happen out of boredom.

I think Ray's comment on the crime increase was too general but I also think a lot of people's views on what Ray means by crime and who'd commit it is also too general. Overall, in my opinion, I think the whole thing is overblown and it's just a product of the lockout.