The Emperor has no clothes!
Ray Lewis

During last nights field goal festival between the Ravens and Colts Joseph Addai took the ball, made a move to his left and proceeded up field for about three yards. Ray Lewis came across, tackled him solidly and the play ended. Three yard gain Colts.

At this stage Lewis sprinted a full 7-10 yards into the Colts backfield, flexed like one of those steroid ridden WWF marvels and roared what I assume was some asinine, boring catch phrase to anyone in the immediate vicinity. I watched bemused for a few seconds before going to the fridge for another beer.

Why does Ray Lewis celebrate making a regular tackle?

I can only imagine how long Ravens training sessions go on. I assume every time Lewis hits a defenceless tackle dummy he gets up and performs a tired, hackneyed celebration dance over the bags lifeless body?

There is no denying Lewis is a fantastic athlete, one of the best Linebackers ever, for sure. However, why is he celebrating doing something, well, something pretty Johnny Clock in? If a rugby player celebrated making a tackle the game would be a farce. I am all about linemen and defensive players celebrating big plays, but celebrating making a pretty meaningless tackle on a play that gained yards? I just don't get it.

You can go check out Ray's official website here. Something fun to do, there is a poll on the front page of his site asking; 'How far do YOU think the Ravens will go in the playoffs?'.

Those 79% are in for a shock!






Self promotion is clearly not an issue, judging by Ray's 'official' site.

It's easy to root for guys who have 'one of the best players overall in NFL history' on the front page of their 'official website'. Now, I searched high and wide but I could find zero mention on same site of the incident in January 2000 where Ray and two buddies were arrested for the murder (stabbing to death to be exact) of Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar.

To have the murder charges dismissed, Ray Lewis and his high priced legal team worked a bargain and he pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of 'obstruction of justice'. He hastily agreed to testify against his two friends Oakley and Sweeting, who were each charged with murder. Oakley and Sweeting went on to hire the very high priced legal representation of noted Atlanta criminal defense attorneys, L. David Wolfe, Bruce Harvey, and Steve Sadow.

Though all were acquitted in June 2000, the Atlanta Police Department and District Attorney's office believe Lewis' associates to be guilty. No other suspects have ever been arrested for the crime.

Although he claims not to have had anything to do with the brutal killings, on 29 April 2004, Lewis reached a settlement with four-year-old daughter of one of the murdered men. The settlement of a pathetic one million dollars pre-empted the civil trial scheduled for 14 June from going forth.

Interesting that Lewis would pay to keep the civil trial from ever happening.

While the Colts pulled closer to victory I watched Lewis sitting on the bench, sulking. There sat a man who was involved in a brutal murder, to the point where he paid allot of money to shut the affair up, a man who feels the need to beat his chest and preform pre arranged dances when he makes run of the mill tackles.

This man has a website and on same the following is there in the 'Meet Ray!' section;

''And like the great predecessors that played before him, Lewis has a nasty streak that allows him to play with great ferocity.''

He sure does, just ask India Lollar, born shortly after the death of her father Richard. Ray Lewis is an image. The Baltimore Ravens need him. Why? Check out the thousands of pasty white, white collar Ravens fans wearing 'Lewis' jerseys at last nights game. The NFL needs him.

''Since the murder allegations, Lewis's image has slowly recovered. He has gained several national corporate endorsements, most of which draw upon his tough image.''

I spent hours, literally hours, watching Football games last night, and this morning, after thinking about Ray Lewis and his stature in the game I feel stupid. On a day I should be excited about the Patriots playing the Chargers tonight I feel stupid for buying into all this.

This ultimately meaningless, ugly and self promoting individual walks around like a God. His dubious past, which involves two horrific murders, actually helped build up his 'nasty' image that the enormously predominantly white NFL fan base gobbles up like chocolate. Well, the Emperor has no clothes folks. And today I feel stupid.

I hope to God the Patriots do something special tonight and deliver me from this funk.