Millions watched last night as the Baltimore Ravens became the best of the best in the NFL, taking home this year’s Super Bowl win. And for Ray Lewis, the success was just the right high note to exit on, with a 17-year career of trials and triumphs. The veteran linebacker is retiring, taking a ring home for the last game of his professional career.
“Now I get to see a different side of life,” Lewis said Sunday night after helping the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31. “My family, and my sons, my kids, they’ve sacrificed for me. Now I have the opportunity to sacrifice for them.”
As everyone reflects on the win and Lewis’ career, ESPN writer Jamison Hensley breaks down the star’s professional highlights, by the numbers:
1 — The only player in NFL history to amass 40 sacks and 30 interceptions in a career.
2 — Super Bowl titles won by Lewis, who won his 12 years apart. No other player waited longer between his first and second Super Bowl wins.
3 — Number of Hall of Fame players who won a Super Bowl in their final game (John Elway, Gary Zimmerman and Russ Grimm). Lewis will join this group.
6 — Players, including Lewis, who have been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year multiple times: Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor and Joe Greene.
12 — Pro Bowls for Lewis, tying Junior Seau for the most ever by a linebacker. Only Bruce Matthews (14), Jerry Rice (13) and Reggie White (13) have been to more.