Ray Lewis to retire after this season

[ellicottraven]

As much as I knew this day was inevitable, my heart feels heavy. God Bless you Ray Lewis for everything you've done and everything you will do in the future. I only hope the rest of your team rises to the occasion and sends you off with confetti falling as your last memory of the game you played so well!

[Fang]

Holy crap. Sundays just won't be the same without #52.

[Ngata Chance]

We love you Ray. And we always will.

Power an Glory. Do it for Art. Do it for Ray.

[jackriley134]

We knew this day was coming but still it is a sad moment for the entire NFL. Ray Lewis showed more heart and passion than anyone else in NFL history. Ray will be a Legend forever and we are all privileged that we got a chance to see this guy play.

[blitzking33]

Yup. It hurts.. bad.

But, as a human, I'm glad he's retiring after this run. He's up there in age now and needs to stay healthy and live his life out with his family to the fullest!

We love you Ray!!!!

[ravefan52]

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]17 seasons, 13 Pro Bowls, 7-time All Pro, 2-time Defensive P.O.Y, Super Bowl MVP, 41.5 sacks, 31 INT, Next stop - Super Bowl, After that: HOF! Great man.[/background][/font][/color]

[HoldingCall]

Congratulations to Ray for having such an energetic and successful career, I hope his retirement is equally rewarding.

[A Fish Called Yanda]

Argh, I need a distraction. This makes me tear up.

[Ravenseconbeast]

No way. Give us one more year Ray!!!

[McBurks]

My idol is retiring. I'm going to go cuddle his jersey in a corner now....

[UMDan]

Just to think... next year will be the first year ever that Ray Lewis is not on the Ravens roster.

[Gordo52]

I will never change my picture on here again. Lol

#52. The greatest defender ever. I will only be watching you on defense next sunday.

G.O.A.T.

[Militant X 1]

no other thread in this place matters now. lock'em up and just leave this one open!

~Mili

[Grapple Raven]

[i]I know I may sound silly to some, but why do I feel like something just died? I can't see through my tears.[/i]

[RobFuseRaven]

Words can't explain how great he's been for Baltimore. All the things he's done and all the hearts he's touched. We've lost more than a player. Ray Lewis is a once in a lifetime. I knew it was inevitable, but it still hurts to know he won't be on the field anymore. What a retirement it would be for him to hold the Lombardi one last time.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Ray's retirement save $4.35 million in cap space next season.

https://twitter.com/RavensSalaryCap/status/286524728548671488

[Token]

On a somewhat positive side, think of how amazing his HOF speech will be.

[Larryterri]

He will probably be the best linebackers coach we could have ever hoped for, it's not all bad...

[K-Dog]

We knew full well it was coming eventually.
That doesnt make it any easier for this city and the fans.

Good for him. He has earned it.
Lets all send him out on a good note.

[Ravenseconbeast]

He is the greatest linebacker EVER to play on NFL.

Lets give him the longest, the biggest cheer on field when he steps into the field come Sunday!

[kassaiscool]

awww hell nah, not RAY RAY!! The day had to come.

[The Prestige]

Ray's legacy could not possibly increase over these next four games.

My hope is that he is used carefully and selectively. I'd love to see him in run blitzes and as an extra rusher.

It may sound selfish of me to be uneasy about how much he plays, but I kind of feel like the team was talented enough to win the Super Bowl in both 2010 and 2011, and coaching (including repeatedly having Ray Lewis on Patriots tight ends last January) and Cam Cameron were in the way. I'd forgive Ray Lewis if we lost to Peyton Manning because of him. However, I think Dean Pees is smart enough to find a way - should Ray play as he did earlier in the year - to achieve a balance between helping Ray feel like he belongs, and not allowing the same pass coverage disasters and occasional broken tackles of the last two seasons.

[Azmo]

Argh. 99% expected, but somehow that doesn't make it feel any better. Talk about the face of a franchise... Retire that jersey # Bmore...

What an outstanding football legacy!

[bravensfan52]

Im crying. I cant believe it hes done hes really leaving.

[IH EART DA RAVENS]

Gotta hoist that Lombardi in Feb to give Bisciotti the chance... "This ones...for RAY"

[Ravens_fan]

Wow, did not expect that. Sad day for the Ravens nation. I was on the Epsn website and some people are so ignorant, with the murderer comments. Damn fools, smh....

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

[quote name='Mt. Crushmore' timestamp='1357148056' post='1286747']
Ray's retirement save $4.35 million in cap space next season.

[url="https://twitter.com/RavensSalaryCap/status/286524728548671488"]https://twitter.com/...524728548671488[/url]
[/quote]
It's too early. Chill. lol

[Jay D83]

[quote name='Grapple Raven' timestamp='1357147961' post='1286741']
[i]I know I may sound silly to some, but why do I feel like something just died? I can't see through my tears.[/i]
[/quote]

I feel the same way. The Mayans were right. The world DID end.

The NFL network has went wall to wall Ray with people calling in...etc. I'm so sad.

[The Prestige]

By saying his legacy can't increase, I proclaim that he's entered Barry Sanders-Michael Jordan territory where the way Sanders waited to retire and the Wizards years did nothing to take them from the "greatest of all time" status. Ray Lewis has put his career as a MLB and a leader so far ahead of that of everyone else, he's already reached the pinnacle to which these young cats would need to be consistent for 15-17 more years.

I also believe the young guys - even Patrick Willis - are behind based on the first few years of their seasons. I don't think they have made the total impact Ray did in his first few years.

[Sunday QB]

God bless you Ray, Thank you for your leadership. You made us the best fans in football.