Fifteen years ago last month, the Baltimore Ravens selected LB Ray Lewis with the 26th pick in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. Lewis was selected later in the round after the Ravens made LT Jonathan Ogden their first pick in franchise history with the fourth overall pick.

Who would have known then that Lewis would become the face of the franchise and perhaps one of the greatest defensive players to ever play the game. He certainly is the most famous player in Ravens franchise history, with all due respect to Mr. Ogden, who will be the first Ravens to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Lewis had a lot to say in appreciation of how the city of Baltimore has becme his home in a story by Mike Duffy at BaltimoreRavens.com. Perhaps along with Baltimore Colts great Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Orioles greats Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken, Ray Lewis will go down in history as one of the most popular athlete in the city's history.