Dancing his way into Canton

Lewis and the Ravens were the ‘perfect storm’ For linebacker, speech chance to give thanks

CANTON, OHIO avens middle linebacker Ray Lewis was enshrined among the legends Saturday night, but few of the inductees in the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame could match the pageantry or the charisma he displayed throughout his 17-year career.

Lewis socialized and marched among 103 of the Hall of Famers who attended his induction. Now that he has been presented with his gold jacket and had his bust unveiled, he will be remembered forever as one of the best to ever play the game.

But Lewis was more than just a tremendous linebacker. As the consummate proSee PRESTON, page 7

RCANTON, OHIO – Ray Lewis prowled the stage for all 33 minutes of a sprawling Hall of Fame induction speech Saturday evening, taking listeners on a tour of his childhood and playing career before concluding with a call for community service.

The Ravens great pointed out dozens of family members, friends, coaches and former teammates in the crowd of 22,205, thanking them for helping him fulfill an unlikely destiny as one of the finest defenders in NFL history.

Lewis, clad in purple pants and a matching purple and gold tie, received a raucous ovation from Baltimore fans as he shuffled onto the stage at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. He began his speech, the last of the night, almost three hours later, at 9:55 p.m.

His daughter, Diaymon, introduced him, See LEWIS, page 7