Image via Complex Original
If there were a better combination of intensity, polarizing leadership ability, and motivation in another athlete out there today, Ray Lewis would will himself to eliminate that person. There is no athlete that can get his team, a random team, or even a whole city as hyped up as Ray Ray can. The veteran linebacker turns 37 today. He's been consistently bringing it on the field for 16 seasons, and also has blessed us with his amazing pre-game dance and glorious viral clips in the form of his motivational speeches. From his ability to send Stanford men's basketball team into a frenzy before this year's NIT championship to his touching words at Steve McNair's funeral, here are Ray Lewis' Greatest Motivational Speeches.
10. Well Done
Year: 2011
Audience: City of Baltimore
Quote: "When we all go on to heaven you have to ask yourself will you hear those two words, 'Well done'?"
The love Ray Lewis in Baltimore is like no other and at this event at Mother's Federal Hill Grille he sprinkled in some real talk to go along with the festivities. Your favorite ballers make it rain in the club while Ray Ray drops knowledge.
9. It's All About the U
Year: 2011
Audience: Miami Hurricanes Football Team
Quote: "Know what you carry, when you carry that U on your chest. Know what you carry man, you carry a legacy, a legacy of greatness."
As an alumni of the University of Miami, Ray Lewis came back to talk to the football team about the 'Canes legacy and what it means to him. Props to Ray on the cool T-shirt and letting the young'ns know that the U really is all about a brotherhood. *secretly wishes that we attended the U or at least had Ray Lewis as our commencement speaker*
8. Calls Out the Juicers
Year: 2009
Audience: Student Athletes
Quote: "At the end of the day you can't look at a person dead in the eye because you cheated the system and ultimately you cheated God."
Lewis attended the Fourth Annual Student Athletes Conference back in 2009 and got everybody excited with rousing words on becoming great not through PEDs, but with true effort. Excuse us as we go guzzle down three cans of Red Bull and hit the gym for three hours.
7. Respect
Year: Unknown
Audience: Baltimore Ravens
Quote: "Respect is earned, respect is never given. It's better to be respected than liked. To Hell with being liked!"
We're sorry Ray, but being liked has its benefits. #seewhatwedidthere?
6. Small Schools Need Love Too
Year: 2011
Audience: Elon Football Team
Quote: "Until you set your mindset to think like a king, you stay where everybody else is at"
This is too good to be true, it's almost like he has magical powers at this point. Elon University, a small school in North Carolina, somehow managed to get Ray to talk to them during the lockout and boy did he not disappoint. Lewis gave a great speech and almost like it was planned, thunder and lightening started up (1:05) as he began to paint the image of true greatness to the boys. *cues the soundtrack*
5. Right Now!
Year: 2011
Audience: Baltimore Ravens
Quote: "We don't even know what yesterday got for us, cause it's already gone. Tomorrow? Too far away. What about right now?! Would you give it all up for me right now?!"
Hilarious for all of the wrong reasons, Ray tries to get defensive tackle Bryan Hall ready before a game and asks a pretty deep question. If homie has such a way of words with his teammates, we can only image in the game he runs on females. Oh wait...
4. Are You Pissed Off For Greatness?
Year: 2012
Audience: Stanford Cardinal Men's Basketball Team
Quote: "'Cause if you ain't pissed off for greatness then that means you're OK with being mediocre."
This will go down in history as one of the best but also one of the most random pre-game speeches ever. The Cardinal men's basketball team brought in Ray Lewis to help them get them ready for their final game and let's just say, mission accomplished. They won the game 75-51 and the video became an Internet sensation. Too bad this was for the NIT. #justsayin'
3. Steve McNair's Funeral
Year: 2009
Audience: Friends and family of Steve McNair
Quote: "Life ain't about what people see on the outside, life is about what comes from the inside."
After the passing of former teammate Steve McNair, Ray Lewis gave a moving speech at his funeral. Despite only playing with him for a couple seasons (2006-2007), the respect level the two had for each other was clearly evident with his words and emotions. Lewis vowed to be there for McNair's family and let them know how exemplary a man the late QB really was.
2. Ray Lewis Way
Year: 2010
Audience: City of Baltimore
Quote: "When we get in that locker room I speak life."
After having a street named after him, Ray Lewis gave an epic speech to commemorate the event. He's working the crowd like it's church and he managed to make a solid reference to keeping your head up on the block. What's next, will he get his own city? Maybe even a state? We've always hated having to say "Vermont."
1. There's More to Life Than Football
Year: 2012
Audience: Baltimore Ravens
Quote: "This right here makes us stronger. Let's understand who we are as a team, lets understand who we are as men, and lets make somebody smile when we walk out of here."
One of the toughest things to deal with in the NFL is making it far in the playoffs only to be knocked out before the big dance. After his team's loss this year to the Pats in the AFC championship game, Ray dropped some words of wisdom for his teammates. The vet also let his comrades know that there's more to life than football and pointed out that the sport is an escape for people going through "real pain."