Wednesday, 06 May 2026

Ray Lewis

Contest: The US Athletics Hall of Fame - Athletes 2026
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Football
Statistics & Accolades: 2 Super Bowl Championships (XXXV & XLVII)
2 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards (2000 & 2003)
7 First Team All-Pros (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008 & 2009)
12 Pro Bowls (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2010)
3x Combined Tackles Leader
3x Solo Tackles Leader
1-Time All-American
31 NFL Interceptions
41.5 NFL Quarterback Sacks
2,059 NFL Combined Tackles
1,568 NFL Solo Tackles
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Member of the Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor
Named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
Named to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team
Ray Lewis is regarded as one of the most exceptional middle linebackers in the history of the game, characterized by his profound leadership qualities and exceptional sideline-to-sideline agility. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in their inaugural 1996 season, he dedicated his entire 17-year professional career to the franchise, becoming its symbolic figure. Lewis was a two-time recipient of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award (2000 and 2003) and was selected to the Pro Bowl on 13 occasions. Notably, he led one of the most formidable defenses in NFL history in 2000, culminating in Super Bowl XXXV, where he was named the Most Valuable Player.

Lewis's career culminated in a cinematic "Last Ride" in 2012, when he returned from a torn triceps to lead the Ravens to their second Super Bowl victory in XLVII. His legacy includes his iconic "squirrel dance" entrance and his inspirational presence that went beyond the game. With over 2,000 career tackles, he is also recognized as a strategic thinker who can diagnose plays before they unfold. In 2018, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first year of eligibility, establishing himself as a benchmark for modern linebackers.

We are proud to nominate Ray Lewis for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

Back to List