to schedule an interview last Monday morning. It was unrelated to this mini-series and more about Ray promoting an apparel line that apparently he owns and co-promotes with a team of consultants. We made the rendezvous for 10 p.m. downtown after an event he was hosting and a night when I was doing a charity gig for Big Brothers Big Sisters. I walked across the city for the meeting after a 9:30 p.m. text confirmed our appointment. Sure, it’s a strange time for a “sit down” but I’m infinitely flexible when it comes to Ray Lewis.
Before walking over, I even said to my partner “I bet there’s a good chance he stands us up” because quite frankly my history with Ray Lewis says that this is an even-money bet. For all of his “reliability” on the football field I haven’t found him to be nearly as detailed or reliable in the real world but, again, I don’t try to bother him too much because he’s clearly a busy dude.
Sure enough, after walking across the city I arrived in a room with Ray Lewis and after being there for 30 minutes I was told by some P.R. woman I’d never met that “Ray has a headache and won’t be meeting with you tonight.” No rescheduling. No apologies. No questions. No answers.
I was quickly shown the steps and the exit.
I only bring this up because this is a story about “Ray Lewis: The Present” and stuff like that shouldn’t happen — not to me, not to anyone — if you’re Ray Lewis and you want people on your side in Baltimore (or anywhere else). And the fact that it did happen – considering that I have a 15-year relationship with him and have never been much more than a huge Ravens fan and Ray Lewis defender, supporter and fan – always seems to worry me for him.
Cal Ripken wouldn’t do it. Jon Ogden wouldn’t do it. Brooks Robinson wouldn’t do it. I could go on about the number of stars and celebrities and other “important people” who don’t do that kind of stuff. Never!
So, if Ray Lewis wants to be held to a higher standard he should treat people with the respect he’d like to see reciprocated.
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But it once again it instills in me that seed of doubt in regard to what Ray Lewis we’re going to see once he leaves the field. That will be tomorrow’s finale of the mini-series: What does the future hold for No. 52 because clearly he just can’t have much more football left in him at 35 years of age.
The Ray Lewis of “now” is one busy man. He’s busy playing football, chasing another championship and at this point has his eyes set on that “greatest player who ever lived” title. I’m sure if he eventually sits down with me — or anyone else — and he’s honest, he might talk about playing two more seasons after this one.
In his mind I’m sure he figures three seasons means that’s a chance to win THREE more championships, not one and don’t think for a moment he doesn’t realize that John Elway
