Does Ray Lewis Deserve A Statue?

by Bruce Raffel on May 20, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

Johnny Unitas Statue - M&T Bank Stadium (photo credit: Helmet Hut)

Over at NFL.com, they are filling their web pages with anything to draw interest during as big a lull in any football news as there has been in years. This NFL Lockout thing is making it relatively difficult to find much to discuss about football, so sites are digging deep into their bowels to pull out something to write about.

Vic Carucci wrote a story, "Worthy recipients: NFL folks who deserve statues in their honor" on what players on each team deserve a statue out front of their stadium and why. For Baltimore, while the first name that comes up is the Ravens All-Pro linebacker, Ray Lewis, other names have been mentioned. Carucci also thinks that former Baltimore Colts great, QB Johnny Unitas, deserves one, mentioning that the 'Golden Arm' already is immortalized in bronze at the entrance to M&T Bank Stadium.

Carucci acknowledges that the Colts' name, colors and records belong to Indianapolis but rightly states it is his story and list, so he can set whatever rules he wants. Too bad he isn't settling the NFL Labor dispute, eh?

Tweet Comment 44 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Dumb question

He deserves a monument!

"Really, all Americans want is cold beer, warm p***y, and someplace to take a s**t with a door on it."

by StuckInUtah on May 20, 2011 7:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Agreed. If Ray doesn’t deserve one then I don’t think anyone does.

by AV23 on May 21, 2011 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions

In a word…duh! Of course he’s earned a monument.

by JoshuaStein on May 21, 2011 8:02 AM EDT reply actions

great players deserve great statues

and clearly, a great player here and the face of the franchise! Great citizen off the field despite earlier problems goes to show that people deserve another chance to make it right.

A man is innocent untill proven guilty...Even if it's Ben Roethlisberger!
'I rather have a German division in front of me than a French division behind me'..General George Patton
" I don't care if he has two horns and a tail, as long as he is anti-communist"..General Douglas MacArthur..
"The way to end our dependence on foreign oil is to keep our tires properly inflated"....B. Hussein Obama
"Government is not the solution to our problems, it is the cause of them" Ronald Wilson Reagan..40th President of the United States

by nycsteelerfan on May 21, 2011 8:34 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Bruce , re-read the article he does mention that Johnny U has a statue in B-More

“Of course, the franchise already pays tribute to the city’s previous NFL franchise, the Colts,with a statue of Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas. They could also have statues of fellow Hall of Famers John Mackey, Raymond Berry, and Gino Marchetti. I realize the Baltimore Colts’ history is the official property of the Indianapolis Colts, but this is my list and these are my rules.”

Veni, Vidi, Vici - Julius Caesar 47 BC

by PSU RAVEN on May 21, 2011 8:52 AM EDT reply actions

oops

Guess I missed that!

What pose for Ray’s statue? I say the one when he comes out the tunnel doing his dance and at the end spreads his arms wide, leans back ad screams to the other gods in the heavens.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on May 21, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes if there is a statue built for Ray , it must be that pose

Veni, Vidi, Vici - Julius Caesar 47 BC

by PSU RAVEN on May 21, 2011 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

or the pose of Ray on the flying raven in the Old Spice commercial.. your choice

Veni, Vidi, Vici - Julius Caesar 47 BC

by PSU RAVEN on May 21, 2011 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Re-read the article

and surprised I must of mis-read it first time. Had to change my story to reflect the correction you mentioned.

Thanks for noticing and letting me know. Peace.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on May 21, 2011 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions

No problem ...

you likely missed it b/c of the shock of seeing something on the NFL webpage that has the audacity to link Johnny U with the actual city and fans he played in front of…………

Veni, Vidi, Vici - Julius Caesar 47 BC

by PSU RAVEN on May 21, 2011 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm going to be the minority here

But I don’t think so. He has had a great career and seems to be a nice guy, but if that is the criteria then we need to get enough bronze for J-O and Ed Reed as well (both who have had equally great careers and have kept their names out of the papers, regardless of if Ray did anything or not). Art Modell deserves a monument just as much in that same case.

I think Johnny U deserves to have a statue because he is Baltimore Football from when football was first here. If any great player is going to get a statue, then we will quickly run out of space (Ray, Reed, J-O, Ngata soon enough, etc.)

by Mstevens_Design on May 21, 2011 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

Come on, dude…Ngata? Ed? Ray has had such a major impact on the game of football, far greater than most players in NFL history. And it’s also noteworthy that he was in the very first draft class, and had blossomed into a first ballot hall of famer. You want to talk about JO, then I think we can have that discussion. Ray’s impact goes way beyond the game, and he has certainly left a legacy in Baltimore. Every middle linebacker that comes into the league is measured against Ray. He is very well-deserving of a statue.

by JoshuaStein on May 21, 2011 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

But see that can be said about the other players I mentioned as well. When a safety comes into the league, he gets measured against if he can be the next Ed Reed. JO is very much the same way. I’m not saying that Ray hasn’t made a major impact, but I’m saying that all those other players have had 1 as well (not Ngata yet, but in 3 years or so, he will be well on his way to a HOF spot if he continues to play like he is now).

My issue is more with the what determines a statue here in Baltimore as a player, GM or coach? If its just a HOF career, then we will have a problem, because that number is going to grow very very fast in the next decade when players retire and are eligible.

Though on a side note, I absolutely think that Ozzie and Modell deserve a statue right next to each other. They are the reason we have football back in Baltimore, the reason we have a superbowl, and the reason we have so many HOF caliber players.

Fortunately, we can have an argument on this because we just have too many first ballot HOF guys (3 sure things since we started as the Ravens).

by Mstevens_Design on May 21, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Ray’s impact outside of football outweighs what those other guys convey, which is my point. He’s so much more than just the best middle linebacker of his generation, and the fact that he was in the initial draft class adds to the mystique.

by JoshuaStein on May 21, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly. Rays impact goes behind what he does on the field. He’s an icon in Baltimore. He’s been THE leader of this team for over a decade. We scheme our entire defense just around him. The guy is the definition of a field general. I love Reed and Ogden, but for reasons I can’t quite explain, they’re not quite on Rays level. Ray will be talked about for the rest of footballs future, the guys is absolutely incredible!

"Really, all Americans want is cold beer, warm p***y, and someplace to take a s**t with a door on it."

by StuckInUtah on May 21, 2011 6:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Ehh

I just don’t see where Ray has a huge impact outside of football really. I mean the guy has some failed restaurants and a few weird commercials, but Ogden did that Gebco commercial, so I thin their even on that level.

We’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

by Mstevens_Design on May 21, 2011 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

If that is the criteria I have to give the edge to Ogden

those Gebco spots had some nice babes in them

Veni, Vidi, Vici - Julius Caesar 47 BC

by PSU RAVEN on May 21, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

U gotta be kidding me…

by JoshuaStein on May 21, 2011 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

No not really

I’m not saying that Ray hasn’t done good things and hasn’t been one of the best MLBs in the game. I don’t think he has done anything outside of football games and being great at that to warrant a statue. My only issue is that it spawns everyone getting a statue at that point.

Why not keep it classy and just have Johnny U and maybe Art Modell at the stadium? Ray will get his spotlight on the ring of honor thing we have, but a statue is a bit much if you ask me.

Now if he single-handedly stops the lockout or has a major hand in it, then yeah, he would have done stuff both as a football player and as a great guy to warrant being immortalized as a statue.

by Mstevens_Design on May 21, 2011 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry, but you’re probably one of the few people that would say that. And his impact on the field and what he’s meant to the organization are enough to warrant a statue.

by JoshuaStein on May 22, 2011 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions

           Ray Lewis is the modern day face that represents great defense in all the NFL. In a time where the deep ball rules the highlights, Ray makes defense still significant.
           He is also the face that represents making the most of second chances. He has God given leadership and speaking abilities. After the Atlanta incident, he has used those abilities for only good.
           There is also an aura about Ray. I’ve never met him, but the people that have are almost always drawn to him. There is no doubt, he is special.
           I would say he is worthy a statue.

by MrPoopyPants on May 22, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. I don’t only think he is the face of the Ravens, but the face of LB’s in the league. All around the NFL you don’t have a conversation about LB’s and not bring up Ray Lewis. The thing that separates Ray from everybody else is his leadership. The greatest leader of all time in any sport definitely deserves a statue IMO.

by AV23 on May 22, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

In many ways, he is the face of the league

At least one of a few that you could say tht about. Face it, there may be better defensive layers in the league right now, but Ray is the MOST recognizable defensive player in the entire league. Try naming one wh is more recognizable, not better, but recognizable. Ask nyone at ESPN or NFL Network who’d they rather “mic up” and Ray’s name will always be at the top of the list for defense at least.

Besides, look at Oriole Park, where they have a bunch of statues with numbers at the entrance. Why not one big ne of Ray then a bunch of old Colts around Units and a bunch of Ravens around Ray’s?

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on May 22, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t say the face of the league, but definitely could be the face of defense in the league. Talent and personality wise he could be the face, but that just never happens for the defense in the NFL. The league loves their QB’s.

by AV23 on May 22, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

If what happened in Atlanta didn’t happen, he would be the face of the entire NFL…

by JoshuaStein on May 22, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know. I just can’t see the league putting anybody else in the spotlight other than a QB. Peyton and Brady have been their boys and even without that incident I couldn’t see them catering to Ray the way they do for them.

by AV23 on May 22, 2011 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Fair enough

I see your point on that Bruce. He is truly a recognizable player for the league in general and I can understand that.

I just cant behind the argument that he is the only one that deserves a statue here in Baltimore Football history. And based on the arguments I was hearing, I just thought that it watered it down when you start including everyone, so I decided it was best to not include anyone.

by Mstevens_Design on May 22, 2011 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea Right lets build a piece of Molten metal to a

Killer

I mean do you all know the story of him killing a guy
you know hes paying off the dude sitting in jail

that to funny – you guys are full of it

yea lets build a statue of a KIILLER

by cowboyzz11 on May 22, 2011 1:12 AM EDT reply actions

Another troll?

by JoshuaStein on May 22, 2011 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Hey

I mean you know your a jerkoff right!?

Yea, lets let this jerkoff troll the boards.

by Mstevens_Design on May 22, 2011 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions

See how easy that was

I wrote something and now everyone perceives it as fact. Regardless of if you are a jerkoff or not.

Ray was proven to not even be in the area when it happened but he got associated with those people from spending time with them earlier. Ray has since learned to not hang around with those types of people at all.

by Mstevens_Design on May 22, 2011 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

No, Mr. Cowby, we do not know what you are referring to

Enlighten us about him killing a guy and who is in jail that he is paying off, as no one went to jail over those two unfortunate killings that you might be wrongly referring to.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on May 22, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Do you have any facts or evidence to back up your comment?

by MrPoopyPants on May 22, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

HA......HA

get your ignorant ass back on ya horse and get gone.

by purple_reign2011 on May 22, 2011 4:07 AM EDT reply actions

not in the area huh ?

Defendant: Ray Lewis
Crimes Charged: Murder, assault with a deadly weapon
Defense Lawyers: Ed Garland, Jana Harris, Max Richardson
Prosecutor: Paul Howard
Judge: Alice D. Bonner
Place: Atlanta, Georgia
Dates of Trial: May-June 2000
Verdict: Guilty of obstruction of justice; other charges dropped

There were arguments inside the club between members of Lewis’s party and other patrons, and these continued in the parking lot as they were leaving. A brawl began when Reginald Oakley, an old friend of Ray Lewis, was hit on the head with a champagne bottle by Jacinth Baker, a 21-year-old man from Decatur, Georgia. In the fight Baker and Richard Lollar, aged 24, also from Decatur, were stabbed to death

The Fulton County medical examiner was later to give the opinion that they must have been stabbed by someone with a knowledge of anatomy, because the wounds were directly to vital organs, causing them to bleed to death very quickly.

Lewis fled from the scene in his limousine, along with some 11 others, including Reginald Oakley and another old friend, Joseph Sweeting, both of Miami. Witnesses reported that some five shots were fired as the limousine left, but it was unclear whether they were fired from the vehicle, or at it. Police found the limousine a few hours later, parked behind the hotel in which Lewis was staying. He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and held without bail. Sweeting and Oakley had disappeared. Within hours Max Richardson, an attorney representing Lewis, issued a statement denying any direct involvement in the deaths and claiming that it was just a case of a well-known public figure being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

why flee if your not guilty ??

http://www.memorialdaysports.com/2011/04/52-ray-lewis.html

Their testimonies were supposed to show that Ray Lewis hit, kicked or stabbed someone, and that he even admitted as much afterwards

Ray Lewis Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanor; Murder Charges Dropped

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0006/05/bn.01.html

by cowboyzz11 on May 22, 2011 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

He pled guilty to obstruction of justice. Get a life and troll elsewhere.

by JoshuaStein on May 22, 2011 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Just to troll back....

Romo sucks! Welcome to the new face of your franchise….. John “couldnt make it with the Bengals” Kitna. Welcome to the rooting for other teams in the Superbowl for the next 20-30 years or so.

by Mstevens_Design on May 22, 2011 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

lol.ouch

by purple_reign2011 on May 23, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

http://www.memorialdaysports.com/2011/04/52-ray-lewis.html

Your link above is from “RANDOM BANTER OF A COLLEGE KID IN JERSEY.”The author wrote that exact statement. Do you honestly think that anything he says after that has any meaning. He basically just said, "everything I write could be complete and utter bullshit. "

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0006/05/bn.01.html

In the second link you provided, there is nothing about him admitting to murder.

by MrPoopyPants on May 23, 2011 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions

A real bright guy

Ray Lewis says crime will increase if there’s no football

“Do this research if we don’t have a season, watch how much evil, which we call crime, watch how much crime picks up, if you take away our game,” Lewis told ESPN. “There’s too many people that live through us, people live through us. Yeah, walk in the streets, the way I walk the streets, and I’m not talking about the people you see all the time.”

Lewis wasn’t referring to the mounting amount of arrests by NFL players during the lockout.

Lewis said he thought there would be an uptick in crime simply because, “There’s nothing else to do.”

besides Rape – Pillage – Sell Drugs – Kill People

Wow….so according to Ray crime isn’t commited because of desperation and poverty……it’s commited because people just don’t have anything better to do. Wow…..does that mean every day that isn’t Sunday there will be more crime? Cause I mean there is no football then either right? So Ray was just having a really slow day and decided to stab to people with his buddies.

Ray….just shut up man.

You just come off looking like a bigger idiot than usual.

by cowboyzz11 on May 23, 2011 12:23 AM EDT reply actions

Must be awful to be you. Get a life…

by JoshuaStein on May 23, 2011 5:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Ray just has a seriously inflated ego. He could be right though. Crime could increase from a lack of football. I’m not a scientist, I haven’t done any studies.

by MrPoopyPants on May 23, 2011 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions