Is anybody else a bit uneasy with all of the positive attention Ray Lewis is getting?

[Warner2BruceTD]

Leave it to the dolts on this site to completely miss the point of the OP.

Exhibit A:

Can the man live? Its over a decade later, the man had his day in court and has put what happened behind him being a model citizen every since. You werent there, no telling what went down that night and you certainly wasnt in his shoes when he was facing life in prison.

Who said he can't "live"? I'm well aware he had his day in court, and i'm well aware he put it behind him and has kept his nose clean ever since. Never said otherwise. Not sure why people are thanking this total nonpoint of assorted cliches.

I've moved past this Ray Lewis issue...I've accepted Lewis as a great player, and nothing more. I realize that a lot of these NFL guys have shady stuff and violent histories, its kind of the nature of the beast. My problem with Ray Lewis is how the NFL proactively made Lewis a figurehead for the league a few years ago....thats ridiculous. Mike Vick served his time, came back to the NFL, but at least he is no longer pushed by the NFL as a shining star. For some reason, Lewis is seen as a respectable figure in the NFL, which is wrong, IMO.

This was the point I was trying to make.

My issue is with the lack of balance shown by just about everybody, from the NFL to the media, when it comes to Lewis. I don't care if it was ten years ago, I don't care if "I wasn't in his shoes" (my god, what a vacant, stupid thing to say). It's a bit disconcerting how over the top and out of the way the media goes to tell you what a fantastic person he is, yet nobody even attempts to balance the story.

The Lewis legacy is that he was an All Pro LB for 15 years, a team captain, and played hard. And that two people died in Atlanta in 2000. I have no problem with the first part. But the second part should always be part of the story. And it is very creepy how the NFL has placed him on pedestal and turned him into an iconic figure.

The offshoot of this is how ESPN is clearly content to not bring it up in any of these assorted looks back on his career that they've aired. The goofs on Monday Night Countdown, led by chief goofballs Berman & Jackson, went on and on for an entire segment on what a great man Lewis is. On Sportscenter, same deal, video packages describing how this great leader of men and inspirational icon may have played his last down. And nobody had the guts to bring up the other side of the story. Pretty disgusting how vapid that type of journalism is.

 

[EmpireWF]

It's Chris Berman and Tom Jackson.

Their names and journalism? You're better than that W2B.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

It's Chris Berman and Tom Jackson.

Their names and journalism? You're better than that W2B.

I know, I get that ESPN is shamelessly obligated to treat the NFL differently, but what's the excuse of these writers around the country, writing these long winded legacy pieces, without a single word pertaining to what this guy did? I'm not talking about news stories reporting he's out for the season, i'm talking about columns detailing his career and discussing his legacy. I don't get why Lewis gets a pass that nobody else gets.

 

[Senser81]

It's Chris Berman and Tom Jackson.

Their names and journalism? You're better than that W2B.

I always post this, but it always brings a laugh from me. I love how the most cutting, critical remark Berman can think of is "Its like no one here has ever worked on TV before?", as if the world is seperated into two parts...those who've worked on TV, and those wretched souls who haven't.

 

[bucky]

what's the excuse of these writers around the country, writing these long winded legacy pieces, without a single word pertaining to what this guy did? I'm not talking about news stories reporting he's out for the season, i'm talking about columns detailing his career and discussing his legacy. I don't get why Lewis gets a pass that nobody else gets.

The MOB runs the NFL? Is Goodell/NFLPA Leader Italian? Chinese? Made an offer that reporters "can't refuse"? Could explain the Union Heavy league. Any NFL Players work in the Fish Market or Sanitation during the off season?

Do I need a smiley here?

 

[ralaw]

I know, I get that ESPN is shamelessly obligated to treat the NFL differently, but what's the excuse of these writers around the country, writing these long winded legacy pieces, without a single word pertaining to what this guy did? I'm not talking about news stories reporting he's out for the season, i'm talking about columns detailing his career and discussing his legacy. I don't get why Lewis gets a pass that nobody else gets.

What are your thoughts on Kobe Bryant?

I will say that when the NFL Network did a piece on him for that A Football Life Show they brought it up and Lewis addressed it. I've never seen him not open to dealing with it when asked.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

What are your thoughts on Kobe Bryant?

I will say that when the NFL Network did a piece on him for that A Football Life Show they brought it up and Lewis addressed it. I've never seen him not open to dealing with it when asked.

Well, I cant stand Kobe Bryant, but not for reasons you are getting at. I dislike Kobe for the same reason I dislike somebody like Tom Brady. Because of their demeanor, and its fun to root against them.

I think most people view the Kobe situation differently than the Lewis situation. There is some doubt as to whether that woman was raped. We've seen woman play that card too often. We learned things about the victim that casted doubt. The whole thing was fishy.

There is really no doubt with Lewis. Those two guys were murdered, and Lewis was there. He snitched on his boys to get off. His clothes were never recovered. He lied to police. He wont even dispute these things.

 

[FedEx227]

Right. The Kobe thing was way more blown up than what actually occured. When the time came for the woman to really get her story together, she couldn't do it and it was effectively thrown out. Apples and oranges to Ray Lewis.

Even though Marvin Harrison is out of the league, he seems to be way more guilty than ever mentioned in the murder at his car shop.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

With that said, when the story of Kobe is written, is it fair to bring up the rape? Absolutely.

With Lewis I dont see how you cant bring up the murders. It's why i was so compelled to start the thread. I was genuinly surprised, and kinda sickened, about how he's been treated the last two days. But like senser said, the NFL crafted an image for him, and here we are.

 

[ralaw]

Right. The Kobe thing was way more blown up than what actually occured. When the time came for the woman to really get her story together, she couldn't do it and it was effectively thrown out. Apples and oranges to Ray Lewis.

Even though Marvin Harrison is out of the league, he seems to be way more guilty than ever mentioned in the murder at his car shop.

Yeah, the Marvin Lewis situation is way overlooked. What has happened with that?

 

[FedEx227]

GQ posted a story about it getting quotes from a ton of people and said the FBI was looking into it and nothing really came of it. Don't think it's settled, just really haven't pursued it much apparently.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Is there room?

We'll make it fitbama:

 

[Senser81]

Yeah, the Marvin Lewis situation is way overlooked. What has happened with that?

Still coaching the Bengals. Can you believe it?

 

[EmpireWF]

With that said, when the story of Kobe is written, is it fair to bring up the rape? Absolutely.

Are we talking about stories like what MJ's story is? He was a hyper-competitive freak of nature, head and shoulders above every other player, dominated the league for a decade, won a bunch of championships and is the GOAT. I guess the closest comparable thing here would be his gambling history (though obviously, apples and oranges compared the accused crimes of the others mentioned).

Because unless you're talking about bio's of Kobe and stuff like that, the accused rape has nothing to do with his career (unless you talk about the brief hit he took on endorsements). I guess if stories go into his divorce, obviously the accused rape is relevant. But, if we're talking about Kobe the player, does it?

 

[Senser81]

Because unless you're talking about bio's of Kobe and stuff like that, the accused rape has nothing to do with his career (unless you talk about the brief hit he took on endorsements). I guess if stories go into his divorce, obviously the accused rape is relevant. But, if we're talking about Kobe the player, does it?

Is this for real?

 

[FedEx227]

I think what Warner is saying though is the suits at the desk and rambling about what a great guy Lewis is. They aren't saying "Man is Ray Lewis the greatest linebacker to ever live, he's going to be missed" instead they are waxing poetic about the man Ray Lewis and a friggin murder he participated in should be apart of that man.

Kobe is a very distant guy, Kobe the man isn't really talked about (similar to your example about Jordan the man). They are very private figures in that sense that when Kobe retires I doubt people will talk about the man Kobe being great, they'll talk about his play on the court.

 

[NAHSTE]

There is also the possibility that Ray Lewis is now a great leader and a decent human being while still having been involved in a double murder 10 years ago. The two are not mutually exclusive.

People change, people redeem themselves, people move past their past mistakes. I think you can praise his abilities as a motivational speaker and "leader" of other football players, while also acknowledging that he has a checkered past.

It's like how having strippers tied up in hotel rooms doesn't negate the fact that Aroldis Chapman throws 100 mph.

 

[Senser81]

There is also the possibility that Ray Lewis is now a great leader and a decent human being while still having been involved in a double murder 10 years ago. The two are not mutually exclusive.

People change, people redeem themselves, people move past their past mistakes. I think you can praise his abilities as a motivational speaker and "leader" of other football players, while also acknowledging that he has a checkered past.

Agreed, but the Ray Lewis/NFL thing is a bit different, because its not like a redemption story/"he really turned his life around" type of NBC Olypmics story. Its more like the NFL/ESPN just completely ignores the 'murder stuff' as if it never took place. I would have more respect for the media if they did give it the redemption treatment...because otherwise its like the public is being played for the fool (like how Ted Kennedy's car accident/murder just disappeared from the media after 10 years).

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Ray Lewis is my family.

Greatest defensive player to ever lace'em up.

He can do no wrong.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

There is also the possibility that Ray Lewis is now a great leader and a decent human being while still having been involved in a double murder 10 years ago. The two are not mutually exclusive.

People change, people redeem themselves, people move past their past mistakes. I think you can praise his abilities as a motivational speaker and "leader" of other football players, while also acknowledging that he has a checkered past.

It's like how having strippers tied up in hotel rooms doesn't negate the fact that Aroldis Chapman throws 100 mph.

Again, senser beat me to it, but I dont disagree with any of this.

My issue is not that Lewis is being praised as a great football player or on field leader. I could even live with portraying him as a great man, if the media was not also blatantly ignoring a double murder to push this narrative.

I mean, you cant tell the story of Ray Lewis without it coming up, unless you are blatantly pandering to Lewis, the NFL, or both.