Before the playoffs began Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis decided to announce that he was going to call it quits after the season, regardless of the outcome. A move that many at the time, felt would be a rallying point for the team as they prepared for a Super Bowl run. While many grew tired of the attention that Lewis was getting, it appears the team drew inspiration from their leader ready to retire.
So much so that if you ask linebacker Terrell Suggs, it became the reason the team was able to make their magical run.
Per Pro Football Talk: “You could say what sparked it was Ray’s announcement when he said that this would be his last playoff run with us,” Suggs said.
“I would definitely say that was hands-down what sparked it and got our minds going in the right place.”
While many may downplay the significance, I feel the announcement was key to the Ravens run. We may never know otherwise, but I don’t believe their Super Bowl would have happened without the announcement from Ray Lewis.