Over the next two weeks, the media will spend a tremendous amount of time focusing on Ray Lewis and the final chapter of his career with the Baltimore Ravens. Since the 13-time Pro Bowler announced that he will retire after the season, the Ravens have appeared to play with more urgency. However, he is hardly the only reason Baltimore is headed to New Orleans for Super Bowl 47.
On Monday, Torrey Smith reminded reporters that there are 52 other players on the team who have earned a shot at the title just as much as Lewis has. And they want to capture the Vince Lombardi trophy just as badly as he does.
“We wanted to be here before (Lewis) said he wanted to retire,” Smith said according to Around the League. “We all want to win a Super Bowl. You know, Ray isn’t the only guy here. He has one (ring) and we all know that this is his last shot at it. Ed Reed has never been to the Super Bowl. Terrell Suggs has never been to one. Anquan Boldin has never won one, he’s been there. These are (who) I play for every day, we play for each other.”
Good for Torrey. He was in no way trying to upstage Lewis or understate what he has accomplished, but a team is a team. When players are asked question after question about the same person on their team, it starts to take its toll. It doesn’t matter if that player is a rookie or a 17-year veteran. Lewis has already won a Super Bowl. Do the Ravens want him to be able to end his NFL career on top? Sure, but they want to win a Super Bowl for the same reasons every other player in the league wants to win one. Ray’s retirement tour is simply a footnote.
