Some will argue for Lawrence Taylor, Dick Butkus, Reggie White or Ronnie Lott. What makes Lewis stand above all of them is how he dominated in every facet. While Taylor changed the game in the 1980s, Lewis did the same in this generation with his range, strength, speed and intelligence.
Is Ray Lewis the greatest defensive player in NFL history?
57%
Yes
43%
No
(Total votes: 7,408)
When it came to the running game, Lewis was fast enough to chase down running backs and physical enough to make them pay when he did. In Lewis' first 16 seasons, Baltimore never allowed more than 3.9 yards per carry.
When it came to the passing game, he was explosive enough to rush the passer and athletic enough to cover running backs and tight ends. He's the only player in NFL history to amass 40 sacks and 30 interceptions.
Lewis isn't simply the best defensive player because of his play. What made Lewis special was how he elevated those around him and consistently made the Ravens the most feared defense. Since 1999, in the 11 seasons in which Lewis has played at least 12 games, the Ravens' defense ranked in the top 10 every year, including eight times in the top three. Teams have signed Lewis' teammates to big contracts (Duane Starks, Ed Hartwell, Sam Adams, Bart Scott) in trying to build their defenses, but few have ever played as they did beside him.
It's more than stats that make Lewis the best ever. It's the jaw-dropping memories.
In 1999, Lewis ran down San Diego slot receiver Eric Metcalf from behind from the far side of the field after Metcalf caught a 20-yard pass over the middle in full stride. In the 2000 playoffs, Lewis grabbed a bobbled pass to Eddie George, ripped his leg away from the Titans running back and ran in the interception for the score. In 2008, Lewis ran to the hole and hit Rashard Mendenhall so hard that he fractured the shoulder of the Steelers running back. In 2009, Lewis closed out a win in San Diego with a spectacular fourth-down tackle in which he ran through the line and hit Darren Sproles as soon as he took the handoff.
Lewis beat teams because he was stronger than them. He beat teams because he was faster. And, by the time he reached 30, he beat them by using his head, studying film to the point where he called out the offense's play before the ball was snapped.
