Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was one of the most dominant NFL players of his era, making 13 Pro Bowl appearances and winning two Defensive Player of the Year awards.
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Lewis enjoyed a 17-year professional career, all of which were spent with the Ravens, and the star middle linebacker amassed a fortune from his time on the gridiron.
Early Years and College Football Career
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Raymond Anthony Lewis Jr. was born and raised in Bartow, Florida, and attended Kathleen High School, where he was an All-American football linebacker. His brother, Keon Lattimore, was also a star football player who attended the University of Maryland.
Lewis' father, Elbert Ray Jackson wasn't around for most of his upbringing, and he was raised by his mother, Sunseria.
After high school Lewis attended the University of Miami where he would play three seasons on the program's football team. Lewis made the All-Freshman team as a member of the Miami Hurricanes and was a runner-up for the Dick Butkus award as a junior.
He opted to forgo his senior season and declare for the 1996 NFL Draft.
NFL Career
.@RayLewis was on another level. 🔥 (via @NFLThrowback) #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/arKcYln8ux
— NFL (@NFL) July 15, 2019
The Ravens drafted Lewis in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft (26th overall). Lewis made his first of 13 Pro Bowls in 1997 after leading the league with 184 tackles. In 1999, Lewis earned his first of seven First-Team All-Pro selections.
Lewis helped lead the Ravens to Super Bowl XXXV in 2000 and was awarded Super Bowl MVP honors for his efforts in the clash with the New York Giants after logging five tackles and four pass breakups. Lewis earned Defensive Player of the Year honors for his efforts in 2000, having had recorded two interceptions, three sacks and 137 tackles.
The Ravens frequently boasted one of the deadliest defenses in the league throughout Lewis' tenure, but didn't make it back to the Super Bowl until 2012, when Lewis was 37, despite making the playoffs in eight seasons throughout that span.
In 2012, the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, earning Lewis his coveted second ring.
Lewis retired following the 2012 campaign, going out on a high after winning his second championship. The legendary linebacker was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
Personal Life
Rayshad Lewis, son of Ray Lewis, commits to Utah State. https://t.co/P94TIB1lT4 (photo: @ThatOtherLewis) pic.twitter.com/IzWbyUcuvl
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 27, 2016
Ray Lewis' marital status remains single, but the former footballer has six children with four different women. Lewis has four sons: Ray Lewis III, Rayshad Lewis, Rashaan Lewis and Ralin Lewis. He also has two daughters: Diaymon Desiree Lewis and Kaitlin Lewis.
Lewis was previously in relationships with Kimberly Arnold and Sharnika Kelly, the latter of which he was involved in a lengthy dispute over how much he should pay in child support. Lewis had a longtime girlfriend, Tatyana McCall, who mothered three of his six children.
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year has been involved with various charities throughout his life, and started his own non-profit, the Ray Lewis 52 Foundation.
Ray Lewis Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ray Lewis boasts an estimated net worth of $35 million. He reportedly secured over $95 million in career earnings in the National Football League.
His largest contract saw him earn an average annual salary of $7 million per season.
