By: Carlos Licon

A Football Life  It had been more than a decade since Ray Lewis won his first and only Super Bowl.  Every year he has had a single goal to get his team back.  In 2011 the greatest linebacker of his generation was followed on the field and off.  This is the story of a season with Ray Lewis the player, the father, the man.

A Football Life  As they entered 2011 they were looking to get back on top of their division for the first time in 5 years, but there was one obstacle in the way, the Steelers.  Week one they had a solid victory over the Steelers 35-7.

A Football Life  The Ravens win 2 out of the next 3 games.  And they defeat the Jets as they headed into their bye week.  In week 8 the ravens over came a 24-3 deficit to defeat the browns, the greatest come back in team history.  Week 9 the Ravens faced the Steelers once again, trailing with 16 seconds to go the Ravens comeback to defeat the Steelers  The following week, week 10 Ray breaks his toe and is out for the next 4 weeks.

A Football Life  Ray has 6 children 4 boys and 2 girls.  But Ray’s oldest son Ray Lewis III resembles him the most.  Ray was 33 when he spend his first Fathers Day with his father.  He never had his dad on the sideline on any of his games growing up.

A Football Life  1999 Ray was in Atlanta walking out of the club. And a fight breaks out, there was fighting everywhere and gun shots where fired.  Ray was accused of double murder, and was arrested him.  But the murder charges against Ray were dropped. He quoted that you always have to fight for who you are.

A Football Life  The Ravens defeat the Texans in the AFC Wildcard round  The following week the Ravens faced the Patriots for the AFC Championship and the ticket to the Super Bowl.  But the Ravens lost in a heartbreaking game  After the game he promised his team that they would be back, that next year, and that they were going to win it.

A Football Life  The following year Lewis tore his triceps on October 14, 2012 during a game against the Dallas Cowboys, and had it surgically repaired three days later. His triceps tear sidelined him for most of the 2012–13 season. Several sources had reported he was expected to return to action December 16 in the game against the Denver Broncos, much earlier than his expected return in January, but he was inactive for the game. On January 2, 2013, Lewis announced he will retire after his team finishes the 2012–13 NFL playoffs.

A Football Life  He returned to action for Baltimore's January 6, 2013 game against the Colts and led the defense to a 24–9 playoff win. Next, the Ravens defeated the Denver Broncos in the divisional round, 38–35, in double overtime, and then defeated the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, 28– 13. Ray’s final career NFL game was Super Bowl XLVII. Ray ended his career with a second Super Bowl championship when the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34–31.

Career Stats  Lewis had career totals of 2,061 total tackles (1,567 solo), 19 forced fumbles, 117 passes defended, stuffs for a loss, 41.5 sacks, 20 fumble recoveries, 31 interceptions for 503 yards, one safety and three touchdowns in 228 games. He has been selected to 13 NFL Pro Bowl games, a record for an inside/middle linebacker, in his 17 seasons, and led the NFL in tackles five times (1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2004)

Awards and Honors  Since his rookie year in 1996, Lewis has won numerous NFL awards, including being named Defensive Player of the Year twice (2000 and 2003), as well as Super Bowl MVP after winning Super Bowl XXXV(35) after the 2000 season. He is also a 13-time Pro Bowler and seven-time AP First Team All-Pro player, a three-time AP Second Team All-Pro Selection, and was also a two-time All-American in college (1994 and 1995).

Legacy  Throughout his career, Lewis built a reputation as a wonderful leader and an intimidating force at middle linebacker. He is the greatest linebacker of his generation, and perhaps one of the best of all times.