One Year Later

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Page 2

Feb 6, 2001

In the two weeks leading up to Super Bowl XXXV, reporters gave him ample opportunity to speak his piece and spin-doctor the situation however he was able. Lewis refused to address questions about the murders. He offered no apologies, no regrets, no condolences. Football was first and foremost on his mind, and being apologetic was not even a consideration. His coach and teammates chastised reporters for their audacity to query about such mundane affairs as murder and mayhem. Ray shared their disgust, for although still alive, and breathing, and collecting money and accolades, Lewis considers himself to be the victim in this whole ordeal. After all, he spent time in prison, his name has been sullied, and the only thing he did was to party with some friends. He was branded a criminal in the public eye, regardless of the jurors' verdict. Despite his numerous extraordinary feats on the playing field, people only wanted to talk to him about that day one year ago, about how he felt concerning the victims, how he felt regarding the new perception of him. Ray Lewis just wanted to go after the opposing team's quarterback, to prove that he was the best, to focus out all negativity and finish off the fairly tale ending to his lifelong dream.

No one is debating if Ray Lewis is a great football player. The argument over whether or not he took anyone's life has been settled in a court of law, and most people probably believe that he was rightfully acquitted, even though those who do think he's guilty tend to be more vocal than those who don't. But until he is willing to express remorse for the role he played on that fateful night (however benign it may have been), until he makes a statement of regret about the lives that were lost, there will always be people to whom he'll remain unforgiven. And until he acknowledges, if only to himself, that a man is judged at least in part by the company he keeps, the risk of finding himself again one day in hot water and prison garb will also persist.

Ray Lewis may be remembered as an All Pro player. He may be remembered as a key part of the best defense ever. He may be remembered as a Super Bowl MVP. But all facts not being equal, there is no maybe about the fact that he will be remembered as the pro football player who went on trail for murder. Whether he stays angry and bitter about this or eventually grows contrite, it will forever be attached to his name. And in the end, a man's name is the only thing he truly owns.

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