Baltimore Ravens: Top 5 All-Time Ravens

1) Ray Lewis

Sep 22, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis looks on during the game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

No surprise here as to who sits atop our list of Raven greats. Hard to believe scouts once thought Ray Lewis was merely a kid too undersized and too slow to play linebacker on the NFL level.

Remember Barry Sanders’ last game, when Ray held him to just 41 yards? Most don’t.

He’s in a league of extraordinary players, one of the greatest to ever set foot on the field. A 17-year career that saw 2,061 tackles, 31 interceptions, 13 Pro Bowls, 2000 and 2003 Defensive Player of the Year (in fact we might as well just say Ray Lewis was the best player in the National Football League in 2000), and two Super Bowl titles.

I should mention, because it’s important, that Lewis’ most recent Super Bowl victory came just two and a half months shy of his 38th birthday. Come on, admit it. Even you thought he might just play forever. Ray Lewis isn’t just the all-time number one Raven, he’s a player that transcended the game and shaped the Baltimore Ravens culture. And we’re all very fortunate to have seen it.