Baltimore Ravens Unveil Ray Lewis Statue Outside M&T Bank Stadium

Featured ColumnistSeptember 4, 2014

via @Ravens

Ray Lewis spent his entire 17-year career with the Baltimore Ravens, and on Thursday, the franchise honored the legendary linebacker with a statue outside M&T Bank Stadium.

The Ravens drafted Lewis with the 26th pick in the 1996 NFL draft. He helped lead the team to two Super Bowls and was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXXV. The 13-time Pro Bowler hung up his pads after leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl in the 2012-13 season.

The franchise inducted him into the Ravens' Ring of Honor last season. Now, he will live on forever in the form of a statue outside of the team's stadium.

BALTIMORE RAVENS @Ravens
A legend is born. #52Legend https://t.co/7dmy1fwR2G

Jamison Hensley @jamisonhensley
This is what the Ray Lewis statue looks like http://t.co/rp05jX81mY

There was a big crowd—which included Lewis' mother—on hand for the unveiling of the statue.

Jamison Hensley @jamisonhensley
Crowd of #Ravens fans is growing five minutes before Ray Lewis statue unveiling. There are chants of "We love Ray" http://t.co/jbIivpZqfG

Jamison Hensley @jamisonhensley
Ray Lewis' mother is also at statue unveiling http://t.co/6k0ZXUhlwZ

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

Lewis was joined on stage by members of the organization.

Jeff Zrebiec @jeffzrebiec
Ray Lewis now on podium with Steve Bisciotti, Dick Cass and Ozzie Newsome.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti had some very flattering words for his former star player.

BALTIMORE RAVENS @Ravens
Steve Bisciotti: We didn't take this lightly for Johnny Unitas to share this plaza with the greatest defensive player of all time.

BALTIMORE RAVENS @Ravens
Bisciotti on Ray Lewis: "He truly was a leader who made good men great...We are witnesses to the greatest leader in the history of the NFL."

Lewis addressed the crowd after the statue was unveiled.

BALTIMORE RAVENS @Ravens
Ray Lewis: "Stand for something, or else you'll fall for anything." http://t.co/kguUNeJBS2

BALTIMORE RAVENS @Ravens
Ray Lewis: "Me and Baltimore are forever connected." #52legend http://t.co/5IGlqzPMIs

BALTIMORE RAVENS @Ravens
Ray Lewis: "We did it our way. We made sure they started putting in rules for offense!"

BALTIMORE RAVENS @Ravens
Ray Lewis: "I'm never leaving Baltimore. I will forever be part of this city." #52legend http://t.co/pMrCw34suy

No ceremony involving Lewis could be complete without him breaking out his signature dance, capping a very special day for him and the Ravens franchise.

BALTIMORE RAVENS @Ravens
Ray does one last dance in Baltimore. #52Legend https://t.co/baXm9A3ktG

[Twitter, Instagram]