Legendary NFL linebacker Ray Lewis will retire after the 2013 playoffs, he unexpectedly announced on Wednesday.
Lewis was voted the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 and 2000, the year he led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory. He was drafted out of the University of Miami in 1996 and spent his entire career in Baltimore.
As a Raven he earned a reputation as one of the league's most fearsome hitters, hardest workers and most inspirational leaders.
His pre- and post-game oratories in particular became the stuff of legend and YouTube entrancement. Here's one example, a brief talk he delivered in the Ravens' locker room after the team was eliminated by the New England Patriots in last season's AFC Championship Game:
Lewis told his teammates Wednesday that "this will be my last ride." He later told reporters that "it is time for me to create a new legacy." The Ravens open the playoffs this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts.
Players and media alike were quick to jump on Twitter to broadcast their respect for Lewis and his career. CBSSports.com NFL writer Mike Freeman was succinct in his praise:
Ray Lewis retiring. Best middle linebacker of all time.— mike freeman (@realfreemancbs) January 2, 2013
NFL Networks' Albert Breer offered up some statistical perspective on Lewis' long-term dominance:
Ray Lewis is 37 years old, in his 17th NFL season, with over 2K tackles. The defining defensive player of his era.— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 2, 2013
ESPN writer Kevin Van Valkenburg pointed out that Lewis' persona and playing style were something Ravens fans could identify with beyond the football field:
It's hard to put into words what Ray Lewis has meant to Baltimore, the city. In the post-Ripken era, he embodied it: Loud, bold, complex.— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) January 2, 2013
The official Ravens Twitter account also did a nice job of getting in front of the story. The @Ravens profile tweeted photos of Lewis addressing reporters, as well as quick reaction quotes from Lewis and his teammates:
Ray Lewis announcing he will retire after this season: twitter.com/Ravens/status/…— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 2, 2013
Terrell Suggs on Ray Lewis: "It's amazing and it's sad all at the same time."— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 2, 2013
Ray Rice: "Baltimore is Ray Lewis."— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 2, 2013
Ray Lewis: “Four more football games in me? I’ve got way more than that. I just had to make the decision to cut it off at four.”— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 2, 2013