Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis has had one of the most decorated careers of any player in the NFL and is considered to be one of the best defensive players of all-time.
The 17-year veteran announced his retirement on Wednesday, saying that this last playoff run with the Ravens would be his last. Although Lewis will be out of a job once the Ravens lose, he won't stay unemployed for long.
According to SI's Richard Deitsch, sources say that Lewis is close to signing a multi-year contract with ESPN to become a commentator and personality and will be used on various TV and radio programs. While there is no official word yet, Lewis appears to be tailor-made for television and has said in the past that he would be interested in moving to broadcasting after his playing career is over.
Lewis has appeared in numerous commercials and other promotional materials for the NFL and seems natural on the screen. Part of the deal, according to SI.com, would give Lewis a significant role on "Monday Night Countdown" and as well as appearances on ESPN Radio.
"Ray Lewis has an intensity about him and a way of communicating that is very infectious," CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus said to SI.com. "He is a bigger-than-life personality, very articulate and [has] an incredible passion for the game. If Ray Lewis decided to take that same passion and put it into a broadcasting career, I think he would be a terrific studio analyst or I imagine game analyst, too.
According to Deitsch, Lewis and his team of representatives has met with several broadcasters this season in hopes of securing a contract for when he retires. The main sticking point of the deal with Lewis, Deitsch writes, is that he has a flexible schedule so that he can attend his sons football games at the University of Miami, where he is a running back.
It is likely that some of the other broadcast companies, including CBS and Fox, will pass on Lewis simply for that fact, but it would make him a perfect candidate at ESPN purely for the fact that they have so much NFL programming that he could slide into if needed.
"I see Ray as a guy who would be great in the studio because he is so animated and emotive," Fox Sports Media group executive producer John Entz said. "I think he could fire people up there."
Lewis has been a vocal and explosive player throughout his career and could often be seen before and after games giving speeches and pep talks to the Ravens. His announcement about retiring after the season has already helped jump start the Ravens as they prepare for the Colts, who clinched their position against Baltimore with a win against the Texans on Sunday.
"There was no doubt in my mind the Colts were gonna win that game," says former NFL defensive lineman Trevor Pryce, who played for the Ravens from 2006-10, to Yahoo Sports. "Now? They don't stand a chance. The stadium is gonna be on fire. It's gonna be a mob scene. It's gonna be one of those things where you say, 'Wow.' It'll be like [an English] Premiership soccer game. It's gonna be insane. And it all starts with Ray."
Lewis has been to 12 Pro Bowls over his 17 year career and won Super Bowl XXXV MVP in the Raven's win against the Giants. He has also won the AP Defensive Player of the Year award twice and led the Ravens defense in 2000 that allowed the fewest points in NFL history.
This season Lewis has been hampered by injuries and has made 57 tackles with 1.0 sack and one fumble recovery in just six games. Lewis hasn't played in that few of games since 2005 when he also played in six after going on injured reserve with an injury. Two seasons ago, Lewis has 102 tackles, his most in five years, while adding two sacks and two interceptions.
Even at his old age, Lewis has still proven to be a great defensive player, making 95 tackles and 2.0 sacks last season while helping the Ravens reach the AFC championship game against the Patriots. During his career, Lewis has amassed 2,050 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 19 forced fumbles, 31 interceptions and three defensive touchdowns.
Lewis has put up stellar numbers throughout his whole career, but he was especially dominant in 1997 when as a second-year player he led the NFL in tackles with 184 to earn his first Pro Bowl selection. That season he also had four sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and 11 pass deflections.
The linebacker holds the record for Pro Bowl appearances at his position and was part of the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2000's. On Sunday, the Ravens will host the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Wild Card round in what could be Lewis' final game in the NFL.
