Report: Ray Lewis to join ESPN
Ray Lewis is a 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker. (AP photo)
It didn’t take Ray Lewis long to find a new job.
SI.com is reporting that the veteran Ravens linebacker, who announced this week that he will retire after this year’s playoffs, will join ESPN.
Multiple sources told SI.com the Ravens linebacker is close to signing a multi-year contract with the network. At ESPN, Lewis is expected to have a significant role on the network’s Monday Night Countdown program. As with most ESPN NFL talent, Lewis would also be featured on multiple platforms, including ESPN Radio.
No formal announcement from Lewis or the network is expected until the conclusion of the Ravens season. Lewis announced Wednesday that he planned to retire at the end of Baltimore’s season. The Ravens host the Colts on Sunday in the AFC WIld Card round.
An ESPN spokesperson declined comment when contacted Thursday morning.
Lewis, 37, is a 13-time Pro Bowl linebacker who has played 17 seasons in the NFL, all of them with the Ravens. He was the Super Bowl MVP in 2001, when the Ravens defeated the New York Giants.
Atlanta fans remember Lewis for less glamorous reasons.
He was embroiled in a murder investigation after someone in his entourage allegedly stabbed two men to death in Buckhead after the 2000 Super Bowl in Atlanta.
Months later, a judge approved a deal allowing Lewis to avoid murder charges by pleading guilty to a misdemeanor obstruction charge and testifying against two co-defendants.
He was put on probation for one year and fined $250,000 by the NFL. The co-defendants were acquitted by a Fulton County jury.
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57 comments Add your comment
zzzzzzzzzzz
January 3rd, 2013
1:29 pm
Yet, another reason not to watch any NFL games or pre-game shows
Lee Hayden
January 3rd, 2013
1:40 pm
Obviously the ESPN HR Dept. does not live in Atlanta or they would know Ray Lewis, in addition to high level line backer skills, is a thug who rented a limosine to ride Baltimore to Atlanta for Super Bowl #(?), wore a long mink coat to indoor game, partied in Buckhead with thug friends, someone in the party killed someone and wounded several, and Ray was able to beat the rap thanks to his exorbitant athlete earnings
enabling him to hire the best lawyers available. ESPN, I wish you had higher standards!
timmm
January 3rd, 2013
1:40 pm
remember the good old days when you had to speak english to be on TV?
NFL fan
January 3rd, 2013
1:45 pm
Wow. Who is more qualified to talk football than a 12 time pro bowler and first ballot hall of famer? But, I guess all of you guys are right. Trent Dilfer is the football “expert”.
Bad Lead
January 3rd, 2013
1:50 pm
“It didn’t take Ray Lewis to find a new job.”
Well who did it take? #proofread
mister.earl
January 3rd, 2013
1:52 pm
Atlanta should be more concerned with stopping either Adrian Peterson or Mr. Discount Double Check next weekend.
Losing another playoff entry game will not sell PSL’s.
killer
January 3rd, 2013
1:53 pm
Wow, what punishment!!
Lee Turner
January 3rd, 2013
1:54 pm
Ugh… Can ESPN just hire someone who isn’t a player or personality. Whenever there is an event like a players strike it’s just a round table of agreeing rather than any real opposing views
Lee Turner
January 3rd, 2013
1:55 pm
@Bad Lead what does this article have to do with Atlanta
JK
January 3rd, 2013
2:02 pm
Good grief, that rules out ESPN pregame for me. Who wants to listen to that guy talk? He is supposed to be a “motivational speaker” but have you heard clips of him on TV? It’s terrible!
spaceman109
January 3rd, 2013
2:08 pm
lee hayden…here are some things that you and most others do not remember from that situation.
the original arrest of ray lawis happened over the *heated* objections of the two street-level detectives who were working the case. they needed more time to investigate since it was very dark outside that nightclub and too many people were not sure what they saw.
when the trial started, the testimony of the very first witness was 180 degrees opposite from what he told the grand jury. his changed testimony was not shared with the defense prior to trial. the next morning, the late judge alice bonner, who was known as a very no-nonsense sort, ripped the d.a. a new one and said he should count himself lucky that he was not being held in contempt. because the arrest happened far too early….and the prosecutor has not tried a case in court for four years…two young men remain dead with no closure for their families. therefore, lee, put the blame squarely where it belongs….on d.a. paul howard, who went to trial with not one shred of direct evidence that lewis had anything to do with those murders. all he had was circumstantial testimony. his case fell apart like a cheap suit.
Curious George
January 3rd, 2013
2:11 pm
So, how is an ESPN gig helping in Ray’s retirement reason of “spending more time with [his] kidz?”
ConcernCitizen
January 3rd, 2013
2:14 pm
It amazes me that you computer geeks sit behind a computer and act like you are the best and most perfect people ever. Ray Lewis did get involved in that situation over 10 years ago but was not charged of murder. So how do you all know what happened? Were you there? This is a sick world. I really find the comments to have been made by some racist people. I really wonder if I can look into your worlds all the devilish things that you are hiding yourselves. Ray Lewis has been great to the NFL. A very positive and inspiring football player. Also is a great father and does awesome things for his community. But I guess because he is African American, all the slick comments has to come in. Get over it morons your race is and will continue to be the minority. This is not the 1700’s anymore. Sick of all the foolishness!!!
spaceman109
January 3rd, 2013
2:16 pm
curious george…..look up “ray lewis atlanta trial” and read up on how the prosecution made a total mess of that case.
we probably will never know what happened because the street-level detectives were not given enough time to do their job.
Inquiring Viewer
January 3rd, 2013
2:16 pm
Is it just me, or has the Face of ESPN gotten much, much darker in a collective pandering effort since January 20th, 2009?
JD in Marietta
January 3rd, 2013
2:19 pm
Ray Lewis will always be a thug…
spaceman109
January 3rd, 2013
2:19 pm
concerncitizen,,,,lewis was, in fact, charged with murder. check out the link;
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/2000/01/31/lewis_murder_ap/
i do appreciate that young. mr. lewis turned his life around after this situation and got rid of the bad influences. how do i know he did that? he has not been in any other bad off-the-field incidents
The Real Falcon
January 3rd, 2013
2:20 pm
Anyone ho does not think that a future Hall of Famer has nothing good to contribute on ESPN is either and idiot, not a football fan or worse.
Ray Lewis
January 3rd, 2013
2:21 pm
Inquiring Viewer…no you are exactly right. ESPN has gotten much darker but so did the White House. LMAO…MORON!!
birdfan70
January 3rd, 2013
2:23 pm
Amen Concerncitizen! I couldn’t have said it better…
The Real Falcon
January 3rd, 2013
2:23 pm
After reading most of the criminal comments I see why our criminal justice system does not work. Most of them don’t get or believe in the Constitution. Maybe you should read it some time. He served his time. He didn’t shiv anyone. No law enforcement said he did.
Jealousy and envy are not Christ-like. Check the beam in your own eye first.
warfalcon
January 3rd, 2013
2:24 pm
He without SIN cash the 1st check.u sinful and greedy generation,HYPOCRITES.
Atlanta Mayor
January 3rd, 2013
2:25 pm
Atlanta is known around the USA as a popular African American City. If you dont like it move to Maine, South or North Dakota, or even Utah where your chances of seeing an African American are slim to none. Get a LIFE!!!
spaceman109
January 3rd, 2013
2:26 pm
atlanta mayor….how about northern idaho?!?
Devil's Advocate
January 3rd, 2013
2:27 pm
I’m not Ray Lewis fan but why does everyone keep trying to pin murder on him? No, it’s not a good thing when an altercation happens with your group but stuff happens all the time. Is there some evidence that Lewis himself committed the stabbings? If not, why the witch hunt? This seems like OJ backlash to me. If Lewis were just a common thug then no one would want to pin murder on him since 2 other guys supposedly did it.
http://www.artclu.com/crew/bfoley/lawscope/index.cfm?L1=news&story=10&pg=1
This just looks like another case of a large brawl where death is a result. This happens more frequently than people care to admit. There’s no suggestion that Lewis himself stabbed anyone.
I wonder how the story would read if the defendants shot the victims during the fight. Would people then use the “Stand Your Ground” argument that killing is fair game?
Get over it people
January 3rd, 2013
2:27 pm
We get to hear an all time great football player talk about football. Cant get any better than that. HGTV, Lifetime and MSNBC awaits those of you who want to protest. People would pay more to see him blow his nose on a football show than they would to hear you negative folks gripe online in order to boost your self esteem
Inquiring Viewer
January 3rd, 2013
2:27 pm
With all the lame-brained, uncouth, uneducated, Affirmative-Action simpletons ESPN keeps hiring en masse, case in point being Ray Lewis, should the network consider changing its acronym to EIPN: Everyone’s Inarticulate & Pandering Network?
Inquiring Viewer
January 3rd, 2013
2:31 pm
Will Michael Vick join ESPN upon retirement, joining Ray Lewis is a tandem show entitled “Thugz in Sportz,” to pander to its BET demographic?
the truth
January 3rd, 2013
2:41 pm
ConcernCitizen, no one brought up racism until you did, you bigot
Shut up
January 3rd, 2013
2:43 pm
ConcernCitizen: Sure we are sitting behind our computers… and sure we do not play in the NFL. But we have also never been a party to cold blooded murder. Ray Lewis is no better than OJ.
Edmund Burke
January 3rd, 2013
2:47 pm
As a WASP, I understand the issue with Ray Lewis (black, rich, not articulate) but he’s human – just like myself and other FOX news lovers, Right Wingers – ” We fear what we can’t understand and hate what we can’t conquer” – NAS
just the truth
January 3rd, 2013
2:47 pm
Let’s see, who will they bring in next. Casey Anthony, O.J. Simpson. All innocent people.
SMH
January 3rd, 2013
2:49 pm
Inquiring Viewer i love your racism and affirmative action talk
its so bold and unamusing kind of like your love life
just the truth
January 3rd, 2013
2:52 pm
and just for the record ……..Leona Helmsley was really a nice person !!
Ga Girl
January 3rd, 2013
2:55 pm
Classy move ESPN……NOT!
neverMOREtheRAVEN-
January 3rd, 2013
2:56 pm
To “concerned citizen”, get the racial chip off your shoulder.
Curious George
January 3rd, 2013
2:58 pm
Will ESPN be replacing Criminal Michael Irvin with Criminal Ray Lewis on its NFL Pregame Show?
No Holds Barred
January 3rd, 2013
2:59 pm
Hey Inquiring Viewer! You are probably a savage yourself! Your comments suggests that you have not been loved in all of your pathetic life. Because your filled with jealousy! Did you get cut from the football team? LOL And now your upset with the world because you don’t make the millions and receive the notoriety that they are and have received. Burn your rebel flag boy!!!! The “South aint gonna rise again!” LMAO!!!!!!!!!
Esquire
January 3rd, 2013
3:00 pm
I doubt Lewis will be a factor in the Ravens post season, it’s his swan song and they will play him even though he won’t be 100%.
FYI, Lewis paid a settlement to the family’s of both men who were murdered. Why did Lewis dump his bloodied clothes he was wearing at the time of the stabbings? Only Ray, his co-conspirators, and God know………..and maybe the other dozen people in his limo, many of which were never called to testify. It is purported that Lewis paid for the defense of the men actually charged with the stabbing. I wasn’t there and don’t know but what I’ve read but somebody got away with murder.
It could have been Ray Lewis.
phil
January 3rd, 2013
3:03 pm
Wow….
Most of you folks are the reason I’m thankful we have the juducual system that we do in this country.
You would draw and quarter Lewis based on nothing at all.
Pathetic and sad.
Curious George
January 3rd, 2013
3:10 pm
Why does No Holds Barred not have access to a free Spell-Check or Grammar-Check program to help better articulate his/her racist, hate-filled comments, insults and personal attacks against others on a sports blog?
Ray's knife
January 3rd, 2013
3:19 pm
Concerncitizen – what does being in the minority have to do with anything? Those are just numbers and I know that I will never be a “victim” of numbers. Just becuase white people don’t spit out the most illigitimate kids doesn’t make them an inferior race. Idiot…
Strong Black Man
January 3rd, 2013
3:20 pm
I am reading the post and see that there are so many scared white people in atlanta.That hide behind the computer screens like there fore father hide behind the sheets. LOL. we got Black President, Black Mayor and Mostly black local government. LOL I yes I said it now whar
Ray's knife
January 3rd, 2013
3:23 pm
SBM – and yet none of that can buy you intelligence. Becuase we are annonymous and behind a screen the only thing that you have to show your intelligence is the way you articulate your message. You can’t spell, use proper grammar or punctuation. Now whar
Just Saying
January 3rd, 2013
3:25 pm
Hey Racist, dont hide behind the screen, how about you saw your face when you post those comments. It’s so funny that the average white male in Georgia can cheer for a black man on the field but go crazy when he is your boss or in your mind the POTUS. LOL
Really
January 3rd, 2013
3:26 pm
The Majority is now the minority and they have a problem with Ray landing a gig on ESPN. How about worrying about all of these thug domestic terrorist who are shooting up elementary schools, college campus, firemen, movie theaters…etc…The White American Male is the true THUG!
At the truth
January 3rd, 2013
3:33 pm
How does it feel?
Karen
January 3rd, 2013
3:35 pm
Wow.
Reading through all these comments, I have only one query:
Under how many different fake usernames is ” SMH / No Holds Barred / Just Saying / Ray’s knife / Strong Black Man / They Mad ” going to be posting in this blog today?
Just Saying
January 3rd, 2013
3:36 pm
I thought the quarterback for the steelers was charged with raped in Athens but nobody wants to talk about him or the other white athletes . LOL
ATR
January 3rd, 2013
3:36 pm
Gangsters, Thugs, Slashers, or whatever you may call it. At least when black people committ murder they only try to kill the person they are after. The white guys shoot up the mall, college campuses, churches, and oh wait….elementary schools with unarmed children and teachers. So who is more dangerous? I’m just saying. I would rather have an angry guy stab someone who tried to rob him to death than to have an angry go to my child’s school and shoot it up because he is angry at his mommy.
Just Saying
January 3rd, 2013
3:39 pm
I got a autographed copy of Django signed by Louis Farrankan for all of good Southern Gentleman. LOL
fan of the abnormal
January 3rd, 2013
4:02 pm
I still remember the flyers hangin up in Miami after the trial. It was a split image that said “Look whos talking” (With Ray raising his right hand in court taking an oath before testifying)& “Look whos walking” & it had Sweeting & Oakley with the biggest kool aid grins…
At the end of the day, the Judicial System did run it’s course & we must have faith in that process- as flawed as it may be.
I will watch Ray, because he beat the system or it worked in his favor- either way “Full faith & Creidt Clause” of the Constitution says we gotta adhere to the Courts ruling. I’l watch him cus I love football & he will have valid input. Let’s just try to stop Black on Black Crime & Bring Black on Black Shine back like it used to be— with no violence!
fan of the abnormal
January 3rd, 2013
4:03 pm
*Credit… i know how you guys crucify typos like its really indicative of intellect
TPM
January 3rd, 2013
4:04 pm
Ray Lewis reminded me a lot of Keith Brooking. They both celebrated after making routine tackles that resulted in positive yardage.
They Mad
January 3rd, 2013
4:08 pm
Many of your founding fathers owned slaves and/or presided over the enslavement of a whole race, yet you praise them…..btw, PRESIDENT OBAMA re-inauguration Jan 21st …. please be sure to watch.
KARL
January 3rd, 2013
4:10 pm
Ray Lewis was WRONGFULLY accused of Double Murder, because some people who were NOT closely associated w/ him, murdered two people, yet HE was the bigger fish! Every week, there are stories of African-American males exonnerated & released from prison, because they were WRONGFULLY ACCUSED by some overzealous prosecutor, or some terrified white woman, who loves Black men, yet screams RAPE, when found out!! We’ve been playing this game for centuries!!!
Forget Ray Lewis……..How about That O.J?!!
SHAWEET!!!
Dwayne Rogers
January 3rd, 2013
4:12 pm
Why is everyone trashing ESPN. he was never fired by Baltimore and where were these offended people during his Raven employment? It is awful that he was involved in any capacity. But the system ran it’s course and he was never on trial for murder or alleged to have done so, so why the venom now?