Ray Lewis

Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis plays for the Baltimore Ravens. Lewis has been regarded as one of the best defensive players in NFL history, and he was the first linebacker to win the Super Bowl MVP since 1971, doing so in Super Bowl XXXVBaltimore Ravens: Ray Lewis

Lewis' contract expired at the conclusion the 2008 season. Despite talks that he may be in demand by the Dallas Cowboys, Lewis re-signed with the Ravens to a three-year contract, worth $20-25 million, on March 4, 2009.ESPN.com: Lewis, Ravens Agree to Deal

Lewis has had a prolific career, being selected to the Pro Bowl nine times. He also led the Baltimore Ravens to the franchise's first and only Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis is also one of only six linebackers to have recorded twenty interceptions and twenty sacks in a single season, making him a member of the "20/20" club.

Lewis was the center of controversy when he lied to investigators about the 2000 murders of Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar. Lewis was attending a Super Bowl after-party when a fight broke out and Baker and Lollar were stabbed. Lewis and two men, Reginald Oakley and Joseph Sweeting, were taken into custody for questioning, at which point Lewis denied knowing the two men. He plead guilty to obstruction of justice and testified against Oakley and Sweeting. Lewis was sentenced to one-year probation for lying to investigators. Oakley and Sweeting were acquitted of the charges in 2000.

• USA Today: ... Ravens Ready to Pay Big to Keep Ray Lewis (February 9, 2009)

• FanHouse: Might Cowboys Be Interested in Ray Lewis This Offseason? (December 20, 2008)

• CNNSI.com: "Lewis to accept lesser charge, testify" (June 5, 2000)

• ESPN.com: Ray Lewis

• CBSSports.com:Ray Lewis

• Yahoo! Sports: Ray Lewis

• FOX Sports: Ray Lewis

• SportSpyder: Ray Lewis News

• Mahalo's Guide to the Baltimore Ravens
• ESPN.com : Career Stats
  • Height: 6-1
  • Weight: 250
  • Rookie Year: 1996

• May 15, 1975: Born

• 1996: Debuts with the Baltimore Ravens

• 2000: Named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year

• 2000: After being charged with murder, makes a deal in exchange for testimony

• 2001: Wins Super Bowl MVP as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the New York Giants

• 2003: Named NFL Defensive Player of the Year