Ray Lewis is among the more recognizable and popular people to have become associated with Baltimore. During this time of unrest in the city, Lewis will remain in an effort to help bring an end to the violence that has become national news and forgo his original plans to be part of ESPN’s coverage of the NFL Draft.
The funeral for Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old who passed away as a result of a spinal injury sustained at the hands of police officers, took place in Baltimore on Monday. What followed were riots throughout the city that resulted in stores looted, cars set on fire, and a state of emergency being declared.
The desire to provide assistance will keep the former Ravens linebacker in Baltimore instead of heading to Chicago.
“I felt that it was more important for me to stay in Baltimore and try to help the city I love,” Lewis said in a statement released by ESPN, via the Baltimore Sun. “I greatly appreciate ESPN’s understanding and flexibility at this late date. I did not feel right leaving the city at this time.”
“Few athletes are as connected to a city as Ray is to Baltimore, having played his entire career there and based on all the work he has done in that community,” said ESPN senior coordinating producer Seth Markman. “While we will miss him at the draft, we completely support him in this decision and we hope his involvement will help resolve the situation there.”
On Tuesday, Lewis posted video of himself giving a fiery speech about the protests in Baltimore on social media, urging the violence to stop. Former Ravens Torrey Smith and Brendon Ayanbadejo also voiced their concerns over the recent events, as did Baltimore native Michael Phelps.
