On the morning following one of the darkest days in Baltimore’s history that included over 200 arrests, 144 vehicle fires, 19 structure fires, and 15 police officers injured, one of the city’s iconic sports figures broke his silence.
After clamoring for the end of rioting on Tuesday morning via social media, future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis revealed he would forgo his role with ESPN covering Thursday’s NFL draft in Chicago to remain in Baltimore, the network announced.
“I felt that it was more important for me to stay in Baltimore and try to help the city I love,” Lewis said in a statement. “I greatly appreciate ESPN’s understanding and flexibility at this late date. I did not feel right leaving the city at this time.”
It remains unclear what Lewis intends to do in the coming days, but you likely won’t find a more influential figure to speak to the city’s youth after he became one of the most revered figures in Baltimore sports history over his 17-year career. Anyone taking issue with that sentiment because of Lewis’ history likely wouldn’t be part of the target audience anyway.
Lewis posted the following thoughts on his official Twitter account as well as a video to his official Facebook page:
No way, No way this can happen in our city…
— Ray Lewis (@raylewis) April 28, 2015
#Violence is not the answer. We must have #peace in our #city, we are a city that's built on #Believing in each other. #BaltimoreRiots
— Ray Lewis (@raylewis) April 28, 2015
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We must come together,we can stop the violence as a #community.These kids have to have real leaders,we need everybody to join this #movement
— Ray Lewis (@raylewis) April 28, 2015
I've got a message for the rioters in Baltimore.
Posted by Ray Lewis on Tuesday, April 28, 2015
