ray lewis statue revealed.

Former NFL linebacker Ray Lewis was honored with a statue.

The Baltimore Ravens unveiled the statue outside of the M&T Bank Stadium early Thursday morning. 

From CBS News:

Ravens fans headed to the season opener against the Bengals next week will see one of their favorite players etched in bronze. […] Fans are ecstatic about the statue unveiling of a living sports legend. It’s the image of retired Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis.

Lewis was there at 11 a.m. Thursday for the official unveiling of the new statue. “Today is history,” he said in front of a crowd of fans at M&T Bank Stadium. “Today is a day of rejoicing.”

Read more at CBS News

The statue was created by local sculptor Frederick Kail, who also made the statue of Johnny Unitas. Lewis joins the ranks of Unitas, Babe Ruth and Brooks Robinson as he is honored with his own statue.

In 2000, Lewis avoided jail time for his involvement in the murder of two men during an altercation at that year’s Super Bowl. He maintained his innocence, but did plead guilty to obstruction of justice, a misdemeanor. Despite his declared innocence by the legal system, the victims’ families are still demanding justice. The NFL star’s career appears to be unaffected by the incident.

Lewis was invited to the pro-bowl 13 times and was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He played in the NFL for 17 years.

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