Chiefs MELLINGER | Lewis is indicative of what's good and bad about NFL

**Tribal Warfare** · 01-30-2013, 12:37 AM

MELLINGER | Lewis is indicative of what's good and bad about NFL
By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star
NEW ORLEANSControversy surrounds Ray Lewis again, because of course it does. This is how it always is with him, isn’t it?

You probably made up your mind about him long ago. Most football fans have. An all-time great or an all-time outlaw. Charismatic or self-obsessed. A football warrior or a 21st-century drama queen.

Either way, Lewis is this Super Bowl’s most dominant personality. Along with the Har-Bowl angle, Lewis is one of two inescapable story lines in our country’s grandest sporting event, which is quite an accomplishment considering he plays a defensive position devalued by the NFL’s tilt toward passing.

But he has the upcoming retirement. The missing white suit from two unsolved murders 12 years ago for which Lewis paid a settlement. And now, refreshed accusations from Sports Illustrated of banned substance use.

“I wouldn’t give that report or him any of my press,” said Lewis, a Ravens linebacker.

Lewis has made himself a focal point here, again, and the whole thing is picking up momentum in no small part because of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s public declaration that he’d like to hire Lewis as a “special adviser” and that he’s “a tremendous voice of reason.”

Lewis has long been one of the NFL’s most visible ambassadors, and that strikes so many as wrong. They’re missing a critical point.

Reporters asked Ray Lewis about the latest swirling controversy during media day here, and his answer gives you a hint on who the man is.

His first reaction — and you have to believe he and Ravens officials developed a plan before the questions — was to ignore it. Avoid answering. He called it a 2-year-old story, even if the SI story said he used the banned substance this season to return as quickly as possible from a triceps injury.

So he derided the question, and said he wouldn’t lessen “my speeches or my moment.” He referenced a maniacal work ethic, and that he never failed a test. But whether it’s parsing words or not, he didn’t say: “No, I never used or was given any banned substance.”

But if you know Lewis at all, which is to say if you’re a football fan at all, you knew he could not leave it there.

To review: He got angry about defending himself from a charge he didn’t completely deny. And then he went on to talk about one of the team cooks — Miss Gloria — complimenting the team’s manners. And about a sick boy who has become a friend and source of inspiration.

Lewis is among the NFL’s defining players and personalities of the last two decades, and he used the platform in the Superdome to wrestle back what he openly called his moment. So much of the talk around Lewis has been about whether you should root for him. Whether you believe him. Whether he’s worthy of your adulation.

In the end, it would be very difficult to prove Lewis took the substance. And besides, if we follow Goodell’s lead, we see another critical point that people seem to be missing.

The NFL is exhilarating, and it is captivating. It is the greatest spectacle in American sports, with an ugly underbelly we’re learning more about every day. The operation looks glorious on Sundays, but there are hidden mechanisms and sacrifices and even lies that fans only see occasionally but keep the trains moving on time.

Sound like a particular linebacker you know?

Goodell had some within the sport wondering about his wisdom when he talked of hiring Lewis as an adviser. This was the commissioner of a wildly successful and powerful sports league making an official ambassador of a fabulous linebacker with undying charisma who settled a civil lawsuit stemming from a double homicide and who has faced multiple charges of banned substance use.

You know, when you think of it like that, Goodell may have just identified football’s perfect representative — for better and worse.

OrtonsPiercedTaint · 01-30-2013, 12:42 AM

The NFL Network will fall another notch when he becomes part of their crew. They will find a way fit it his "I'm mentally ill" dance every week.

houstonwhodat · 01-30-2013, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrtonsPiercedTaint

The NFL Network will fall another notch when he becomes part of their crew. They will find a way fit it his "I'm mentally ill" dance every week.

I thought he was going to the evil 4 letter network.

But yeah you right I bet whatever network he goes to will lose a lot of viewers.

Deberg_1990 · 01-30-2013, 01:24 AM

Mike Vick for head of NFL public relations when he retires in 2016!

**007** · 01-30-2013, 01:45 AM

I am so glad I don't get NFL Network or ESPN anymore. This week would be unbearable.

**bevischief** · 01-30-2013, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

I am so glad I don't get NFL Network or ESPN anymore. This week would be unbearable.

Outside of games I don't watch either one.

cyborgtable · 01-30-2013, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevischief

Outside of games I don't watch either one.

This, I listen to the Scott Van Pelt show on the way home from campus sometimes but thats it

**HemiEd** · 01-30-2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

I am so glad I don't get NFL Network or ESPN anymore. This week would be unbearable.

I just don't turn them on. Moonshiners FTW!

houstonwhodat · 01-30-2013, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

I am so glad I don't get NFL Network or ESPN anymore. This week would be unbearable.

It hasn't been TOO bad.

Sunday is going to suck though whether the birds win or not.

If they win I'm turning the TV off for at least 1 hour till they get done idolizing Ray Ray.

01-30-2013, 07:14 AM

Heh. We marvel at injuries which used to put guys out for 18 months or end their careers only sidelining a player today for a month or two. I know there have been advancements in surgical techniques but the body still takes time to heal. I'll bet most of our own guys pound stuff like Ray is accused of as well.

RyFo18 · 01-30-2013, 07:18 AM

Ray Lewis is such a show pony.

**007** · 01-30-2013, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyFo18

Ray Lewis is such a show pony.

Can't wait for all the close ups on him during the game Sunday. Hell, they would probably just have the floating camera follow him everywhere if they could. Maybe even a helmet cam. You know he will be miked up as well.

Dayze · 01-30-2013, 08:31 AM

he'll zip line onto the 50 yd line with a gold cape.

Ceej · 01-30-2013, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

he'll zip line onto the 50 yd line with a gold cape.

While wearing a cross around his neck.

"I would like to thank Jesus for showing me how to fly."

Dayze · 01-30-2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJizzles

While wearing a cross around his neck.

"I would like to thank Jesus for showing me how to fly."

01-30-2013, 12:37 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $912813	MELLINGER \| Lewis is indicative of what's good and bad about NFL MELLINGER \| Lewis is indicative of what's good and bad about NFL By SAM MELLINGER The Kansas City Star NEW ORLEANSControversy surrounds Ray Lewis again, because of course it does. This is how it always is with him, isn’t it? You probably made up your mind about him long ago. Most football fans have. An all-time great or an all-time outlaw. Charismatic or self-obsessed. A football warrior or a 21st-century drama queen. Either way, Lewis is this Super Bowl’s most dominant personality. Along with the Har-Bowl angle, Lewis is one of two inescapable story lines in our country’s grandest sporting event, which is quite an accomplishment considering he plays a defensive position devalued by the NFL’s tilt toward passing. But he has the upcoming retirement. The missing white suit from two unsolved murders 12 years ago for which Lewis paid a settlement. And now, refreshed accusations from Sports Illustrated of banned substance use. “I wouldn’t give that report or him any of my press,” said Lewis, a Ravens linebacker. Lewis has made himself a focal point here, again, and the whole thing is picking up momentum in no small part because of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s public declaration that he’d like to hire Lewis as a “special adviser” and that he’s “a tremendous voice of reason.” Lewis has long been one of the NFL’s most visible ambassadors, and that strikes so many as wrong. They’re missing a critical point. Reporters asked Ray Lewis about the latest swirling controversy during media day here, and his answer gives you a hint on who the man is. His first reaction — and you have to believe he and Ravens officials developed a plan before the questions — was to ignore it. Avoid answering. He called it a 2-year-old story, even if the SI story said he used the banned substance this season to return as quickly as possible from a triceps injury. So he derided the question, and said he wouldn’t lessen “my speeches or my moment.” He referenced a maniacal work ethic, and that he never failed a test. But whether it’s parsing words or not, he didn’t say: “No, I never used or was given any banned substance.” But if you know Lewis at all, which is to say if you’re a football fan at all, you knew he could not leave it there. To review: He got angry about defending himself from a charge he didn’t completely deny. And then he went on to talk about one of the team cooks — Miss Gloria — complimenting the team’s manners. And about a sick boy who has become a friend and source of inspiration. Lewis is among the NFL’s defining players and personalities of the last two decades, and he used the platform in the Superdome to wrestle back what he openly called his moment. So much of the talk around Lewis has been about whether you should root for him. Whether you believe him. Whether he’s worthy of your adulation. In the end, it would be very difficult to prove Lewis took the substance. And besides, if we follow Goodell’s lead, we see another critical point that people seem to be missing. The NFL is exhilarating, and it is captivating. It is the greatest spectacle in American sports, with an ugly underbelly we’re learning more about every day. The operation looks glorious on Sundays, but there are hidden mechanisms and sacrifices and even lies that fans only see occasionally but keep the trains moving on time. Sound like a particular linebacker you know? Goodell had some within the sport wondering about his wisdom when he talked of hiring Lewis as an adviser. This was the commissioner of a wildly successful and powerful sports league making an official ambassador of a fabulous linebacker with undying charisma who settled a civil lawsuit stemming from a double homicide and who has faced multiple charges of banned substance use. You know, when you think of it like that, Goodell may have just identified football’s perfect representative — for better and worse.
Posts: 42,080

01-30-2013, 12:42 AM	#2
OrtonsPiercedTaint MVP Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $10004980	The NFL Network will fall another notch when he becomes part of their crew. They will find a way fit it his "I'm mentally ill" dance every week.
Posts: 5,994

01-30-2013, 01:24 AM	#4
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Mike Vick for head of NFL public relations when he retires in 2016! __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914

01-30-2013, 01:45 AM	#5
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14060126 VARSITY	I am so glad I don't get NFL Network or ESPN anymore. This week would be unbearable. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,554

01-30-2013, 07:14 AM	#10
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	Heh. We marvel at injuries which used to put guys out for 18 months or end their careers only sidelining a player today for a month or two. I know there have been advancements in surgical techniques but the body still takes time to heal. I'll bet most of our own guys pound stuff like Ray is accused of as well.
Posts: n/a

01-30-2013, 07:18 AM	#11
RyFo18 Masochist/Chiefs Fan Join Date: Dec 2009 Casino cash: $10004925	Ray Lewis is such a show pony. __________________ My weekly NFL Podcast on iTunes
Posts: 723

01-30-2013, 08:31 AM	#13
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5179358	he'll zip line onto the 50 yd line with a gold cape. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
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