CBS Sports - The Johnny Unitas statue that stands outside of M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is about to have some permanent company. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said this week that he hopes to have a Ray Lewis statue up before the 2014 NFL season kicks off.
According to Bisciotti, artist Frederick Kail is well on his way to making that happen. Kail is the same artist who sculpted the Unitas statue.
"He's well into it," Bisciotti told ESPN.com. "I haven't seen any progress pictures, but the original stuff was just off the charts. We think we'll have it done before the season starts."
Bisciotti first announced plans for a Lewis statue after the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII over the 49ers in February 2013. However, at the time, Bisciotti said it was probably a 'year or two' away.
The statue won't be the first time the Ravens have honored Lewis, the team also honored him last season when he became the sixth player in franchise history to be inducted into Baltimore's Ring of Honor. Lewis joined running back Jamal Lewis (2012), kicker Matt Stover (2011), tackle Jonathan Ogden (2008), outside linebacker Peter Boulware (2006) and defensive end Michael McCrary (2004).
Lewis spent his entire 17-year career in Baltimore and during that time he won two Super Bowls, made 13 Pro Bowl appearances and won two Defensive Player of the Year awards (2000, 2003). He was also named the best middle linebacker in football history -- that honor was given to him by Brian Urlacher.
Ray Lewis was a great player. No doubt one of the greats to play the Middle Linebacker position. He won two super bowls, the first in 2000 was the first for the city of Baltimore in 30 years. He gave us one of the best worst pregame dance moves (blacks gonna black):
But let's get something straight: in no way, shape or form does he deserve a statue outside the stadium to be permanently placed alongside a great like Johnny Unitas. Ray Lewis is a murderer. No if, and or but about it. Straight prison shanked a couple people after the Super Bowl in Atlanta, ditched the white suit, hired a couple hot shot Jew lawyers (who were ready to throw his friends under the bus) and got off scot-free.
I guess if you aren't actually charged with murder and go on to finish your NFL career people can forget about a little stabbing and obstruction of justice. Win the city two Super Bowls and they will turn a blind eye to the whole situation and immortalize you with a statue.
The reason OJ Simpson never got a statue of his own was the fact that he was retired when he murdered his wife was acquitted cause the glove didn't fitted!
Whatever, the Ravens ownership and city love the guy and are obviously going to show just how much. On the other hand, I don't forget.
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