Regarding Ray Lewis...

I read an article in the Washington Post titled "Ray Lewis will end storied career in Super Bowl 2013, and yet I can’t root for him," written by sports columnist Mike Wise. After reading it, and seeing reactions from people on Facebook, I decided to write the following response to someone who posted this article... "While I'm not a Ravens fan, I'm glad for Ray Lewis and I can't think of a better way to go out, public or not. And regardless if his retirement gave some extra juice to the team, the games still had to be played and won.

What disturbs me about the article is the writer's negligent view of a gifted black athlete who, despite some issues that developed during the course of his soon-to-be hall of fame career, chooses to hold on to very personal feelings about this public figure. Lewis was an athelete, not a saint, and since the tragedy that came to his door years ago (which Lewis faced and handled publicly within the letter of the law) he has gone on to do some very positive things through his foundation, as well as becoming an advocate for people with disabilities in the greater Baltimore area. Why the rancor when this man deserves the respect from his overall body of work? Because he's given extra scruitiny because people feel as if he "owes them" more because he's black. The fact remains that black athletes are under such scrutiny and are made to think that they owe someone for their individual success. While that doesn't always excuse negligent behavior, what it does allude to is that the "system" of slave/owner is quite prevalent in sports, as it has been in our society since Columbus so-called "discovered America," and the black athlete is under an even greater microscope than others of equal or even lesser talent.

That's why I'm happy for Lewis. He played the game he loved, made his money, does his charity work (which very few seem to talk about), and retired as a champion. No one's career in anything is loaded with all high points and no low ones; we all have periods where things don't go well. The most we can hope for is to leave when WE are ready to go. And if it's in front of cameras and adoring fans (as well as the "Haters") then good for us - and GOOD for Ray Lewis."

dtb