Remember back when the talk began about Ray Lewis possibly coming back from his so-called season ending injury in time to help the team in the post season? Remember most of the analysts talking about how he wasn't playing so good anyway? That he'll just give the Ravens an emotional lift, but not one on the field?
Ray will not say it so I'll do it for him: How ya like me now haters?!?!
After turning in an eight tackle performance in the AFC Championship game and leading his defense to a second half shut out of the New England Patriots (en route to a 28-13 win) he is going to be able to end his career in a place where most players would love to get to just once throughout their entire careers--the Super Bowl.
The team in general appears to have come alive with Lewis back in the fold. On the field he has done much more than just provide an emotional lift. Through three post season games he has tallied an impressive number of tackles (38; 13 against Indianapolis, 17 against Denver, and 8 against New England).
His play will of course encourage many to try and talk him out of retirement, but after 17 years he appears to have his mind made up. Along with playing in the Super Bowl in a couple weeks he is going to get a chance to do something that few guys ever get to do--walk away a champion and walk away on his own terms.
True, he has had injury issues and is wearing a brace that darn near makes him look bionic on his recently injured arm, but he is still able to walk away. He isn't getting ushered away by concussions, knee injuries, back problems, neck stingers, or anything else.
In the NFL just doing that is an accomplishment in itself.
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