Yes, it's official; former Baltimore Ravens Linebacker, Ray Lewis, is going into broadcasting. ESPN announced today that he is joining the global television and radio network, as an NFL studio analyst.
Lewis will appear on ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown," "Sunday Night Countdown" and "SportsCenter," while also contributing to ESPN's annual Super Bowl coverage. If that wasn't enough, Lewis will also make weekly appearances during the football season on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning show.
Although his contract starts August 1, 2013; some hope to see him at the NFL Draft next month.
On the football field, you saw Ray Lewis the warrior. On ESPN, viewers can expect to see a side of Lewis that they don't get to see during the football season. According to Lewis, he has a silly side; a side that he displays with his kids, family, and friends.
Lewis played his entire 17-year career with the Baltimore Ravens.
In 2001, Lewis was the second linebacker to win the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award and the first to win the award on the winning Super Bowl team.
For Lewis, winning the MVP was a little bittersweet. He missed saying, "I'm going to Disney World." Typically, that honor goes to the Super Bowl MVP. However, in this case, Disney chose Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Trent Dilfer because Lewis was linked to a killing the prior year.
Although Lewis was not convicted of murder, he was hit with a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice in exchange for testifying against two people. Consequently, Disney felt it was too fresh for Lewis to be the face of the team in its family-friendly ad. Additionally, Lewis did not participate in the team's parade at Disney World.
It's 2013; we have come full circle. The Ravens have won another Super Bowl. Clearly, Ray Lewis was the wind beneath his team's wings in its drive for the ultimate football prize.
Now, in steps ESPN, a child of Disney, and it offers Lewis a lucrative contract.
Disney is the parent company of ESPN.
Disney World vs. Broadcasting Contract?
In the case of Ray Lewis, the God of Second Chances and Redemption is reigning supreme.