Linebacker, Baltimore
Ravens
Age: 28
8th
season in pro football & with Ravens
College: Miami
(FL)
Height: 6’1” Weight: 245
Prelude:
Lewis was
chosen by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft, was inserted
into the starting lineup at middle linebacker as a rookie, and had an immediate
impact. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl for the first time in ’97 and was a
consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 1999. With outstanding instincts,
intensity, and speed that allowed him to cover a large area and make plays,
Lewis was well-established as one of the premier linebackers in the NFL. The
only concerns about him pertained to off-field issues following the ’99 season surrounding
an altercation outside an Atlanta nightclub that ended in two stabbing deaths,
but after a plea bargain that included his testimony against two associates (Lewis
was also heavily fined by the NFL), he was back in action in 2000 and received
NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press as the Ravens
went all the way to a Super Bowl victory. Lewis was a consensus first-team
All-NFL selection for the third straight year in 2001 as well as Pro Bowl
choice for the fifth consecutive season. He adjusted well to a shift to inside
linebacker as the Ravens switched to a 3-4 defense in ’02 but he was limited to
five games due to a shoulder injury.
2003 Season Summary
Appeared in all
16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Sacks – 1.5
Interceptions
– 6 [7, tied with nine others]
Most
interceptions, game – 1 on six occasions
Int. yards – 99
[15]
Most int.
return yards, game – 37 (on 1 int.) vs. Denver 10/26
Int. TDs – 1
[7, tied with many]
Fumble
recoveries – 2
Forced fumbles
– 2
Tackles – 121
Assists – 42
Postseason: 1 G (AFC Wild Card playoff vs.
Tennessee)
Sacks – 0
Interceptions
– 0
TD – 0
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Player of the Year: AP
1st
team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News
1st
team All-AFC: Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl
Ravens went 10-6
to finish first in the AFC North while leading the NFL in sacks (47) and fewest
rushing touchdowns (6, tied with Tampa Bay). Lost AFC Wild Card playoff to
Tennessee Titans (20-17).
Aftermath:
Other than 2005,
when a hamstring injury cost him significant playing time, Lewis remained a
regular Pro Bowl choice through 2011, his next-to-last season at age 36.
Overall, Lewis played for 17 years, all with Baltimore, and recorded 41.5
sacks, intercepted 31 passes, and was credited with over 1500 tackles. He was a
consensus first-team All-NFL selection seven times, received at least some
second-team recognition after four other seasons, and was chosen to the Pro
Bowl on 13 occasions. Lewis capped his career in 2012 by playing in another
Super Bowl, also won by the Ravens.
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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or
Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or
USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football
Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press
International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league
itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of
the Year.
