Ray Lewis: The black millionaire blueprint for success

How does a ferocious, flesh-eating linebacker who was once accused of murder become one of the most likable and admired players of the modern era? Ray Lewis is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated defensive players to ever play the game. He is a three-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year. To boot, Lewis was the MVP of the Baltimore Ravens only Super Bowl appearance in a victory over the New York Giants.

Moreover, Lewis is a larger-than-life figure in greater Baltimore who joins the likes of Cal Ripken Jr. in the pantheons of Baltimore sports, and despite his intimidating presence — including forearms that are thicker than the average person’s legs — he devotes a great deal of time to philanthropic endeavor

As Lewis prepares to play his last game, in this his second Super Bowl against the San Francisco Giants, we take a quick look back at the life of Ray Lewis.