My Message to Yardbarker Fans - Make A Stand

Sometimes in life, we try to create what we think should happen. Sometimes God has a totally different plan. He wants to see if I can continue to be the leader that I am. He wants to see if I come to work with the same energy to lead my ball club, no matter what happens. No matter if someone fumbles, no matter if somebody blows coverage, am I going to turn my back on my teammates? And it's the same thing in life. What do you get out of life when things don't go your way? What if it's not your season? What if it's not your week? I want to tell my Yardbarker fans that life ain't always the way you planned it. But make sure your mind is in the right place, no matter what the situation is. And when the day ends, you'll be able to say that no matter what came at me, I was able to stand against whatever came. And that's the same thing I think life is about. Life is about making a stand. Making one stand that I know things won't always be the way I want them to be, but I got faith enough to know that whatever it is, I'm OK with it because I know God is willing our mind. If I got a message for anybody, just know that life ain't always perfect. But if you have your mind right in life, you don't have to run around all circumstances. You don't run from losses. You go through them, because when you go through them, that's what builds a man, that's what builds integrity, that's what builds character -- going through things, not around them.

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• TSylvester said October 07, 2007

  Preach it brother, Amen! Tim

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• Jas_Chin007 said October 07, 2007

  Well said Ray!!! I don't think anything else need be said other than "Amen". Good luck today with the Niners, and above all, GOD BLESS!!!!!!

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• Dewey said October 07, 2007

  "You don't run from losses. You go through them, because when you go through them, that's what builds a man, that's what builds integrity, that's what builds character â€" going through things, not around them."
  
  Very inspirational, Ray.
  
  Get a win today. Good luck and stay healthy.

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• sportsnorts said October 07, 2007

  Pretty good preaching. I needed a Sunday sermon. Thanks, man.

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• lukemorris said October 07, 2007

  Good words man. Good luck todayl

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• whitejordan32 said October 07, 2007

  It's no wonder your D is always at the top. With words like that, how could you not go out there pumped. Great words from a great leader. Good luck against San Fran today Ray!

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• pbcoyotes said October 07, 2007

  Ray -
  
  When you speak...I do listen...that is why your team listens to you.

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• ViciousVic said October 07, 2007

  Dear Ray, Your recent post today (10-07-07) was very inspirational. Being a youth football coach, this is exactly the message we are trying to instill in our 13 & 14 year olds. Keep the faith and please know that our whole family is praying for you, your family, and The Ravens as you have always been one of our favorites. We even named our Rottie puppy "Raven" and in the winter, I'm going to get her a custom #52 jersey sweater made for walking her. Your Ravens Jersey (Dark-Purple #52) was the first one our two boys ever bought me. Have a great game today and may God Bless. Sincerely, Victor Spina, Myrtle Beach, SC - topproducer@mchsi.com

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• DRAFTODEN said October 07, 2007

  can i get a amen in this house of god

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• number1fanof89 said October 07, 2007

  thanx ray... it's good to know these things that people say have no effect in life. some people say whatever happens happens for no reason. those people are wrong everything happens for a reason and in the end something will happen. from my own experience i know that if you don't beleive you won't acheive and once the whole team knows it you will be dominating! thanks ray for showing thhat there are some great legends that aren't stuck up and get mad at things that don't go ur way..... i hope everyone gets like that one day...........
  
  ur fan megan

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• ravenchon said October 08, 2007

  nice quote Ray, you are right, like one greek fhilosopher called Epictete said once:
  "we must love what depends on us and we must accept what it doesn't depend on us" and what depends on us are things like our actions and what we think...

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• varavensgirl said October 08, 2007

  Your words are very inspirational Ray. And I agree 100%... I am so glad the team has you as a leader and a mentor, and the community as well, you are a blessing!
  
  Congrats on the win!

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• RavenTD said October 08, 2007

  Indeed the darkest path we tread maketh the man when he makes his way into the light.
  
  Whether it be life,work,family,defending your country,or winning at sports.We will all face despair,and have to rise back up and stand on your own two feet.
  
  Ray you are a leader there is no mistake about that.Spread the word of your inner strength.
  
  God bless.
  
  Paul,England.

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• tbell324 said October 09, 2007

  I tell my clt's something on the same page of what you just said. So I guess great minds think alike. :) I work as a case manager with people living with HIV/AIDS and let me tell you I let each and everyone of them know that what has happened to them was in God's Plan. and it is now up to them to make the best of what GOD has placed upon them. At first many look at me like I am crazy but after I speak to them how they now have a new chance of life that they never could have imagined. Becoming educated and passing on their education to other about a disease that is now as easier to live with than it was 25 years ago and to have other living testimonies of how you can make it with this virus I see many transform into people that they never knew that they could become is not only heart warming but also a true blessing from above. Many of my client tell me it is becuse of me that they are able to make this change but I quickly tell them I was only a vessel to take them to places that they were destined to go and be from the first step. We all have strengths that we never knew we had until we are put to the ultimate test that we can make it. Thanks again for you words of encouragement. I only hope that I have given you something to think and to share to other about also.!!
  
  Peace and blessing
  
  tbell324 from NC

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• verticalface said October 10, 2007

  Great words. I love watching your enthusiasm. You create fans.

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• cujo2k said October 11, 2007

  You rock, Thanks for the inspirational words Ray.

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• djmania said October 12, 2007

  Isn't ed reed the leader of the defense? He gets hurt less often. At least God loves you ray

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• mickey2222 said October 13, 2007

  haaaaaaaaaa these things may be stomachs. you guys are funny. Ray should be a motivational speaker when his playing days are up.

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• Shawna said October 15, 2007

  Ray, i'm new to Yardbarker. I generally "google" after a game to see photos and comments. Google brought up Yardbarker and I'm glad it did. I live in Buffalo and don't get to see the Ravens play to much, so, as a Ravens supporter, I find myself thirsty for whatever news I can get. I am excited to read your words. You are the reason I began to follow the Ravens. I think I came across an article or something and I was like, "who is this man?". You have an energy and a charisma that draws people to you. You share words that inspire and that is a testament to your soul as a man. I know that God has a plan for my life, as you say, and I struggle daily to get my head in the right place so that I can be ready when my season comes. I stand because I refuse to fall. Continue to have a great season.

  

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• inPickleiTrust said October 17, 2007

  Just another pro athlete with a shady past who is using religion as a marketing tool

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  • Mike_D replied October 18, 2007

    Boo you. Ray's living his dream and recognizes that his family and the Lord are the reasons.
    
    Meanwhile, you just ate a pizza pocket, picked up your mother from bingo and ripped into a professional athlete on a blog site. Congrats! Hey everyone, let's listen to this random douchebag!
    
    I'll take this guy Ray, you keep living the Good Book.
• Shawna said October 17, 2007

  What motivates comments like that? Why are you so personally offended by what pro athletes do? In this day, there are greater tragedies than to worry about how someone markets themselves. What is important is the message, not the messenger. What message are you sending? When I think about Ray Lewis and the comment you shared, I don't think of him as a man that uses religion to disguise his past, but rather a man who has accepted responsibility for his choices. It is not for us to decide whether that acceptance came before, after, or BECAUSE of his faith in God. What is important is that IT CAME. We all should be so fortunate as to learn from our mistakes and then have the guts to share that knowledge despite the "sportspickle writers" and other predators who wait on something negative to pounce on. That story is dead. Ray has obviously moved on. Maybe you should too.

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• metalpuck said January 02, 2009

  Awesome post Ray and enlightening words as always from a true team leader. Thank you for posting your thoughts and giving us your insight when you can. GO RAVENS!!!

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