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I Feel Like Going On

Page 25

by Ray Lewis


  Surrounded by my kids right before the Cowboys game in October 2012 where I got injured: in the front row (from left to right) are Junior, Rahsaan, Ralin, and Diaymon, and in the back next to me is Grady Jarrett, who I’m proud to say calls me uncle. (Baltimore Ravens/Phil Hoffmann)

  At my final home game with my brother and sisters (from left to right) Keon, Laquesha, Lakeisha, my mom, and Kadaja. (Michael Greene)

  A nice moment at the Ravens’ Ring of Honor day with Dad and my daughter Kaitlin. (Michael Greene)

  At my fortieth birthday party, May 15, 2015.

  The amazing day when the Ravens unveiled a statue of me outside the stadium, September 4, 2014. (Baltimore Ravens/Shawn Hubbard)

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  Ray Lewis is widely considered to be one of the most dominant defensive players in the history of the National Football League. Lewis led the Baltimore Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XXXV (where he was named Super Bowl MVP) and again in Super Bowl XLVII, in what would be the final game of his career. The Ravens’ all-time career leader in tackles and fumble recoveries, Lewis was selected for the Pro Bowl thirteen times (a record for linebackers) and named AFC Defensive Player of the Year three times before retiring in 2013. Today Lewis devotes his time to being a father as well as an analyst for the NFL on ESPN.

  Daniel Paisner is the author of more than fifty books and eleven New York Times bestsellers on topics ranging from business and sports to politics and entertainment.

  WWW.RAYLEWISBOOK.COM

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  INDEX

  A note about the index: The pages referenced in this index refer to the page numbers in the print edition. Clicking on a page number will take you to the ebook location that corresponds to the beginning of that page in the print edition. For a comprehensive list of locations of any word or phrase, use your reading system’s search function.

  Aaron, Hank, 180

  ABC: Jackson as announcer for, 91

  Abdul-Jabbar, Karim, 105

  AFC Central Division

  Lewis comments about, 136–37

  See also specific team

  AFC Championship Game

  in 2000, 191–92

  in 2012, 226, 235–36

  AFC Play of the Week, Lewis,’ 134–35

  Akers, David, 241

  Ali (movie), 227

  Ali, Muhammad, 180, 227

  Amato, Chuck, 77–78, 94, 127–28

  Arizona: Lewis rehab program in, 215, 216, 217

  Arizona State University, 100

  Armstead, Jessie, 84

  Atlanta, Georgia

  Lewis arrest and jailing in, 164–70, 171, 176, 237, 247, 248

  Lewis drive to, 142–43

  Lewis family in, 144

  Lewis feelings about, 175, 246–47, 248, 251

  Lewis in, 143–46, 148–71, 175–78

  Lewis talk with Ravens teammates about, 224

  Lewis trial in, 173–74, 175, 184

  nightclubbing in, 149–51

  obstruction of justice charge against Lewis in, 157–58, 170–71, 175

  police-Lewis in, 153, 154, 155–62, 163–67, 178

  race relations in, 245, 246–47

  and ride to airport, 160–62

  and Sharpe-Lewis relationship, 175–76

  shooting/stabbing in, 153–71, 245

  Super Bowl XXXIV in, 141–42, 143, 144–46, 148, 149

  two girls in, 150–51

  Auburn University: recruiting of Lewis by, 75, 76

  autograph, Lewis’ first, 70–71

  Ayanbadejo, Brendon, 238

  Baker, Jacinth (Atlanta murder victim), 164, 173, 245

  Ballard, Vic, 229

  Baltimore Browns. See Baltimore Ravens

  Baltimore Colts, 124, 133

  Baltimore, Maryland

  Freddie Gray death in, 245, 247, 248, 251

  Lewis family home in, 132–33, 205

  police in, 245, 246–47, 251

  race relations in, 245, 246–47, 251

  support for Lewis in, 181

  Baltimore Orioles, 246

  Baltimore Ravens

  and AFC 2000 Championship Game, 191–92

  branding of, 138

  celebrations with, 135–36

  colors of, 191

  culture of, 136, 138

  as defense force, 141, 181, 182–83, 185, 189

  drafting of Lewis by, 124–25

  fans of, 133–34, 135–36, 183, 191, 230, 231

  Injured Reserve List of, 217

  and Lewis Atlanta problems, 155, 169–70, 176

  Lewis’ concerns about, 155

  Lewis dances for, 183–84, 227, 234

  and Lewis feelings of belonging, 132, 139

  Lewis first big play for, 134–35

  Lewis first year with, 127–38

  Lewis retirement from, 205–6, 220, 223–25, 235

  Lewis return following injury to, 223–28

  Lewis second year with, 138–40

  Lewis starting position with, 127–30

  and Lewis tricep injury, 209–11, 212–15, 222, 223

  Memorial Stadium as home for, 133

  reputation of, 136, 185

  as respectable, 141

  style of, 233–34

  support for Lewis among, 169–70, 176, 181

  team colors and logo for, 127

  2000 games of, 178–89

  2012 games of, 209–22, 223–43

  See also specific person or game

  Bamberger, Jason, 61

  Banks, Tony, 182

  banner (2000 AFC Championship Game), 191–92

  Barber, Tiki, 193

  Barnes, Marlin “Red,” 113–20, 121, 122, 125, 135, 237

  Barnes, Roosevelt, 162

  Bartow Yellow Jackets, 29, 65–66

  Bass, Robert, 82, 84, 87, 90, 97, 98

  Baughan, Maxie, 130

  BCS bowl system, 103

  Belichick, Bill, 129

  Bettis, Jerome, 136

  Beyoncé, 236, 239

  Billick, Brian, 179, 181, 182

  Bisciotti, Steve, 220–21

  Biscuit (coach), 17–21, 22, 23–24, 26

  Black Beach Week (Daytona, Florida), 113–18

  “Bone” (hand signal), 65

  Boston College, 87

  Bowden, Bobby, 76, 77–78, 79, 94

  Brady, Tom, 194, 235, 238

  Bridges, Ken, 63

  Brooks, Derrick, 78, 79, 94, 128

  Brown, Jim, 180

  Brown, Michael, 245, 248

  Brown, Tim, 191

  Bryant, Dez, 211

  Bryant Stadium (Lakeland, Florida), 21, 27, 60

  Buford, Willie “Skeet,” 25–27, 28

  Burgess, James, 82, 84, 85, 90

  Burnett, Rob, 182

  butterflies: Lewis’ fascination with, 210

  Byner, Earnest, 134

  Campbell, Tisha, 147

  Campbell, William, 56, 57

  Carr, Ceon, 55

  Carter, Marty, 144, 145, 149

  Carter, Rubin “Hurricane,” 217–18

  Chicago Bears, 53

  Chicago White Sox, 246

  Ciega, Boca, 75

  Cincinnati Bengals, 136, 223

  Cleveland Browns, 124, 129

  Clewiston High School (Florida), 57

  “C’mon ‘n Ride It” (song), 135

  Cobalt Club (Atlanta), 149–51r />
  college

  Lewis’ plans for, 74

  recruitment of Lewis for, 74–80

  See also specific institution or team

  College All-American: Lewis as, 146–48

  Collins, Kerry, 193

  Costa, Frank, 102, 104

  Costner, Kevin, 240

  Cowher, Bill, 120, 121

  Crabtree, Michael, 242

  Crowe, Russell, 180

  Curl, Leigh Ann, 209–10, 212–13

  Dallas Cowboys: Ravens game against, 211–12

  dances, Lewis,’ 183–84, 227, 234

  Davis, Butch, 104–7, 109

  Davis, Stephanie, 62–63

  Daytona, Florida: Lewis at Black Beach Week in, 113–18

  Denmark, Dmitri, 66, 67

  Dennis, Labrant, 119

  Denver Broncos: Ravens games against, 185–86, 221, 222, 226, 231–34

  Dickerson, Eric, 27

  Dilfer, Trent, 182, 183, 189, 194

  Dillon, Corey, 136

  Disney World, 193–95, 248–49

  Doctors Hospital (Miami, Florida): Lewis’ tricep surgery at, 214

  draft, NFL

  and Barnes’ funeral, 122, 125

  day of Lewis’, 122–25

  and Green Bay Packers look at Lewis, 121–22, 123

  Lewis declares for, 106–10

  and Lewis’ dreams, 112–13

  and Lewis’ size and speed, 120–22, 123

  “normal,” 125

  and Ravens drafting of Lewis, 124–25

  standards for, 120–21

  dreams, Lewis

  and family, 203–4, 206

  and NFL draft, 112–13

  and number 40, 234

  Dudley, Rickey, 134

  Dwayne (driver), 142, 153, 154, 155

  Dyson, Kevin, 142

  Ellerbe, Dannell, 242

  Elway, John, 194

  endorsements, 108

  Erickson, Dennis, 75, 76, 80–81, 90–91, 102, 104, 132

  ESPN, 249

  faith

  and Atlanta problems, 167–69, 170, 171, 173–74

  importance to Lewis of, 112

  and Lewis 2012 postseason games, 230–31, 233, 240, 242, 243

  and Lewis dance, 184

  and Lewis family, 6–7, 170, 171, 173, 207

  and Lewis’ legacy, 250

  and Oakland fans getting into Lewis’ head, 192

  and Shannon and number 52, 85

  smiling and, 248

  and Titans-Ravens 2000 game, 190–91

  and winning the crowd, 190–91

  family, Lewis’

  in Atlanta, 144

  Baltimore home for, 132–33

  cycle of abandonment for, 1

  faith and, 6–7, 170, 171, 173, 207

  holidays with, 205, 206

  and Lewis arrest and jailing, 170

  and Lewis childhood, 1–15, 24, 237

  and Lewis declaration for NFL draft, 107–10

  and Lewis dreams, 203–4, 206

  and Lewis as a father, 109–10, 112, 117, 197, 200–201, 203–5, 206–7, 215–16, 250

  and Lewis financial affairs, 107–9, 132, 204

  and Lewis as a wrestler, 47–48

  in Memphis, 74

  and men in mother’s life, 7–8, 208

  in Miami, 107–8

  names in, 13

  and normality, 112

  race relations and, 247–48

  rules for, 207

  size of, 205

  split in living arrangements for, 28

  and 2012 season, 212

  See also specific person

  fans

  of Baltimore Ravens, 183, 191, 230, 231

  hatred of Lewis by Pittsburgh, 178–79, 180, 232, 247, 248

  of Oakland getting into Lewis’ head, 191–92

  racism of, 179

  father. See Jackson, Elbert Ray

  Fauria, Christian, 91

  Felder, Ty “Ropeman,” 177

  Ferguson, Danyell, 84

  Field of Dreams (movie), 240

  Fiesta Bowl: Miami Hurricanes at, 98, 99

  “Fight” (song), 227–28

  The Five Heartbeats (movie), 202–3

  Flacco, Joe, 230, 232, 233–34, 242

  Florida Seminoles, 76, 78, 94–96, 101, 102

  Florida State University

  recruiting of Lewis by, 75, 76, 77–79, 127–28

  University of Miami rivalry with, 101, 102

  See also Florida Seminoles

  football

  as fun, 59

  game changers in, 113, 186

  importance to Lewis of, 51, 112

  and Lewis-father relationship, 14

  Lewis lessons learned from, 23–24, 26, 76

  as one-on-one battle, 24–25, 30–31, 39, 43, 53–54, 58, 99

  as similar to life, 54

  as test for Lewis, 27

  as way up and out for Lewis, 25, 28, 54

  wrestling compared with, 36, 39, 42–43, 76

  See also specific team or game

  football signing: Lewis’ first, 70–71

  Foreman, George, 227

  Fort Myers High School, 75, 76, 80–81

  40-yard line, 234, 236, 240

  Franklin, Steve “Black,” 60–61, 63, 65, 66, 69

  Frazier, Tommie, 103, 104

  Friday night

  Lakeland games on, 27

  Marley and Lewis routine for, 89–90

  game changers, 113, 186

  Gannon, Rich, 191, 192

  Gardener, Daryl, 123

  Garner, Eric, 245–46, 248

  George, Eddie

  as College All-American, 146–48

  confidence of, 186

  grudge matches against, 136

  Lewis gets into head of, 186–89, 190, 191

  Lewis hitting of, 188–89, 235–36

  Lewis rivalry with, 145–48, 150, 186–89, 190

  Ravens 2000 season games against, 186–89, 190

  and “Smashers” game, 146–47

  in Super Bowl XXXIV, 145–46

  Georgia Southern University, 99–100

  German, Jammi, 75

  Gibson, Derrick, 68

  Gladiator (movie), 180, 184

  Gore, Frank, 242

  Graham, Corey, 232, 234

  Gray, Freddie, 245, 247–48, 251

  Gray, Torrian, 59

  Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church (Lakeland, Florida), 6

  “greatest player statement”, Lewis,’ 93–94

  Green Bay Packers: and drafting of Lewis, 121–22

  Haines City High School, 68

  Harbaugh, Jim, 236, 242

  Harbaugh, John, 223, 224, 226, 229–30, 236

  Hardy, Anwar, 55

  Hardy, Kevin, 122

  Hartings, Jeff, 123

  Hawaii: Pro Bowls in, 1, 138–39, 141, 144, 150

  Heisman Trophy, 94

  Hilary, Charles “Mickey,” 54–55

  Holmes, Priest, 182

  Houston Texans: Ravens games against, 136, 218

  Houston’s Restaurant (Atlanta): Mona and Lisa at, 174–75

  “I Feel Like Going On” (song), 202–3

  Indianapolis Colts

  Manning as face of, 231

  Ravens games against, 223, 224, 225–30

  injuries

  and “cocoon time,” 210, 214–18

  of Kathleen High School players, 57, 62, 63–64, 66

  Lewis smiling through, 209, 211, 212

  and Lewis’ tricep injury, 209–10, 211, 212–15, 222, 223

  as opening for Lewis to play football, 57, 62

  recovery/rejuvenation from, 210–11, 214–18

  of University of Miami players, 90–91, 97

  Irvin, Michael, 93–94, 95

  Jackson, Curtis (uncle), 33

  Jackson, Elbert Ray (father)

  appearance of, 9

  athletic abilities of, 9, 25

  athletic coach for, 37

  children
of, 1, 201, 203

  as DNA father, 1

  father of, 198–200

  as football player, 44

  Grandmother Minnie and, 33–34

  legacy of, 7, 37, 200

  and Lewis as high school football player, 68–70

  and Lewis-mother relationship, 22

  and Lewis motivation, 201, 208

  Lewis reaches out to, 197–203

  Lewis relationship with, 1, 22, 23, 33–34, 35, 38, 43–44, 48, 49, 50, 199, 200–201, 208

  Lewis views about, 8, 68–70, 197, 201, 203, 204, 208, 237, 248

  and Lewis as wrestler, 54

  Lewis youthful contacts with, 34–35

  life story of, 198

  mother-Lewis conversation about, 4–5

  music as bond between Lewis and, 202–3

  and names in family, 4–5, 13

  and naming of Lewis, 4–5, 13–15

  and normality in Lewis’ life, 112

  reputation of, 8, 9, 13–14, 25, 34

  as wrestler, 37–38, 40, 43, 48, 49, 50

  Jackson, Elbert Ray Jr. See Lewis, Ray

  Jackson, Kadaja (sister), 2, 7, 8, 132, 201

  Jackson, Keith, 91, 92

  Jackson, Keon (brother), 1–2, 132

  Jackson, Minnie (grandmother), 33–34, 35

  Jenkins, Lakeisha (sister), 1–2, 8, 9, 28, 132, 174, 201

  Jenkins, Laquesha (sister), 1–2, 8, 9, 28, 132, 174, 201

  Joe, Ernest, 59, 61–62, 63, 64–65, 67–68, 76, 78–79, 80, 81

  Johnson, Charles, 91

  Johnson, Dwayne “The Rock,” 83

  Johnson, Jimmy, 104, 123

  Johnson, Keyshawn, 122

  Johnson, Patrick, 183

  Johnson, Pepper, 127, 129, 130, 132

  Johnson, Victor, 45–46

  Jones, Jacoby, 233, 240

  Jones, Marcus, 123

  Jones, Trent, 113

  Kaepernick, Colin, 238–39, 241, 242

  Kane, Eddie Jr., 202

  Kathleen High School

  and college recruiting of Lewis, 74–80

  and father’s legacy, 200

  Jackson as wrestler at, 37–38, 40, 43, 48, 49, 50

  jamboree football game at, 61–62

  and Lewis early interest in wrestling, 36–38

  Lewis as football player at, 14, 38, 42–43, 55–71, 75–76

  Lewis jobs while at, 80

  Lewis as problem at, 73

  Lewis senior year at, 73–80

  Lewis as wrestler at, 14, 38–50, 74, 79, 80

  social life at, 62–63

  style of football at, 58–59

  Kaufman, Napoleon, 101

  Kehoe, Art, 75, 80–81

  Kendall, Pete, 123

  Keys, Alicia, 227–28

 

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