It’s easy to think of the best NFL players of any era and immediately think of the quarterbacks. You can’t blame them. In the 21st century, the NFL has seen some of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, from Peyton Manning’s prime to the latter stages of Brett Favre to the emergence of Aaron Rodgers. Eli Manning shocked everyone and Ben Roethlisberger’s toughness was second to none. The renaissance of Drew Brees and the dominance of Patrick Mahomes. Then, of course, there’s that Brady guy. Around the field, however, there were also some of the best we’ve ever seen. One of them is Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. He was quite possibly the most outstanding linebacker of all time.
In a poll conducted by NBC and voted on by the fans, Ray Lewis was selected as the most dominant player since 2000. The catch of course is quarterbacks were not eligible to be picked. Regardless, it’s hard to argue picking the Ravens legend. His resume from the time period speaks for itself.
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Ray Lewis Voted Most Dominant Non-QB This Century
Pure Unmatched Dominance
Lewis was drafted by the Ravens in 1996, making Pro Bowls and All Pros from 1996 to 1999. 2000-2012 was where Lewis made his mark in the NFL and stamped himself as a Hall of Famer. 2000 would be a special season as he won Defensive Player of the Year for the first time. That magical season also saw him lead arguably the greatest defense ever all the way to Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis dominated the game with four passes defended, one of them resulting in an interception by Jamie Sharper. He would go on to be named Super Bowl MVP in a 34-7 trouncing of the New York Giants.
Three years later, Lewis would win his second Defensive Player of The Year award. 2000 and 2003 combined saw him notch 300 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, and 8 interceptions. Throughout the decade, Lewis led the Ravens defenses that would be at the top or amongst the top in the NFL.
Ray Lewis highlights are always a reminder of a different era of NFL football.
Happy birthday to the 🐐!
pic.twitter.com/j62tOUXOeb— Garrett Downing (@GarrettDowning) May 15, 2022
Ray Lewis In The Postseason
The playoffs are the time when the greats truly shine. From 2000-2012, Lewis oversaw 15 playoff victories, with 11 coming on the road. During the playoffs, Lewis accumulated 137 tackles and is the all-time leader in postseason tackles. Lewis even holds two postseason victories over Brady at Gilette Stadium. Plus, a postseason victory over Manning during Ray’s last ride and finally getting one over him after two previous defeats. However, probably his greatest moment in the playoffs came in 2000 during the height of the Ravens-Titans rivalry: a pick-6 off rival Steve McNair to send the Ravens to the AFC Championship.
Ray’s run from 2000-2012 would culminate in his coming back from injury before the start of the 2012 postseason. His last ride. The team rode that emotion all the way to their second Super Bowl title. Fittingly concluded with a defensive stop at the goal line as the Ravens held off the San Francisco 49ers 34-31, Lewis rode off into the sunset as a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest players of this century and of all time.
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Main Photo: George Walker IV – USA Today Sports
