Brendan Darr's Blog
I have an interesting perspective on this entire subject. First, at my other job (a radio station in DC) I got to hear callers talking about this subject all the time. Second, as I mentioned, I'm in DC and we have a ton of fans of Baltimore who listen to our station.
I also want to point out that I'm not attacking Ray Lewis' religious beliefs, we are all entitled to our own opinions on religion, but we are all also not entitled to hear about yours and when it is convenient for you. Most importantly, however, I am separating Ray Lewis the football player (first ballot hall of famer) and Ray Lewis the man (see below).
Okay let's get started, first and foremost, the religious talk that comes from Ray Lewis is enough to drive even some of the most religious people against him. A pastor even went as far to say that it was sacrilegious what he was saying.
"No weapon formed against me shall prosper" - Ray Lewis
This is a conversation we aren't having enough as a nation, and as a spiritual society. God doesn't care about the outcomes of sporting events. I know this to be a fact, and I know this because there are literally a million things more important in the universe than this. 26% of Americans, according to Sports Illustrated, believe that God has influence over their team. He doesn't. If he did, your favorite player getting hurt would be on you and your fellow fans for not being religious enough, rather than his knee buckling after taking a nasty hit.
Also, the use of religious quotes and text comes most when it comes to questions Ray Lewis doesn't want to answer.
“I tell [teammates] all the time: ‘Don’t let people from the outside ever try to disturb what’s inside.’ That’s the trick of the devil. The trick of the devil is to kill, steal and destroy. That’s what he comes to do. He comes to distract you from everything you’re trying to do.” - Ray Lewis on deer antler allegation.
We all know the greatest trick the devil ever played was to convince the world he didn't exist. In all seriousness, the way Lewis dismisses the question and reverts back to his religion is more of a crutch than anything at this point, and it is the perfect one, because in reality no one can question his religious beliefs. However, like I pointed out, I'm not questioning those, rather his motives to use them at opportune times. Basically, he insinuated that investigative journalism was a work of the devil, and played the victim here. It's a cheap cop out, but it's the perfect cheap cop out -- to that I have to give him credit.
We also know Ray Lewis has never met a camera he cannot cry, dance or exhibit the full spectrum of human emotions in front of. The crying and dancing shtick has gotten tired, but it is all his, and the people of Baltimore love him for that. However, I think we can all agree that a reasonable debate can be had here.
That's been the biggest problem I've noticed, it can't. Baltimore fans, especially when it comes from people in Washington, get extremely defensive. As if you can't say a negative word about Ray Lewis. Again, no one is questioning his talent on the field or what his leadership has meant to this franchise over the past 17 years. But let's be clear, Saturday Night Live doesn't just impersonate someone for nothing. They did it because he's become a caricature of himself.
That, I think, is the most important part of all this. He's become so over-the-top in recent years it is just too much for people, like myself, to handle. God forbid you bring up that fateful night in Atlanta. Or even mention the deer antlers, like Matt did here. To be fair, everyone I've talked to who has tried the deer antler extract has said it's a boost of male performance, in THAT way. Maybe it aides in recovery, or maybe it just cures stage fright, I don't know (but I might try and find out, stay tuned for that update).
This isn't about that night in Atlanta, although I do wonder what happened to the white suit like everyone else. This isn't about the deer antler extract, although that certainly isn't helping. It also isn't about his play on the field, although one could argue his stats are inflated by jumping on piles.
No, this is simply because Ray Lewis has become too much for me, and many others, to take.
Are you tired of Ray Lewis and him dominating the Super Bowl coverage, or not? Sound off in the comments below. Also, hit me up on twitter: @BrendanDarr
# 2
Chargers_Are_The_Bes @ Feb 2
We talk about Ray Lewis for expressing his beliefs but when Tim Tebow constantly say I thank god it's ok. Sounds like a Double standard to me
# 3
Lukin4 @ Feb 2
The world would be a much better place if people got over this whole fantasy that is religion..... How about just taking personal responsibility for your own actions, and treating others with the same respect and compassion you'd expect in return...
# 4
DarthLeon @ Feb 2
@inkcil.
Perhaps the OP has a problem with the idea of a God that cares about the outcome of sports games that simultaneously, for whatever reason, can't be bothered to feed starving people around the world. If you want to believe that God really cares about and influences our sports, you have to accept that idea. Don't be surprised when people are offended by it.
Perhaps the OP has a problem with the idea of a God that cares about the outcome of sports games that simultaneously, for whatever reason, can't be bothered to feed starving people around the world. If you want to believe that God really cares about and influences our sports, you have to accept that idea. Don't be surprised when people are offended by it.
# 6
BlackRome @ Feb 2
We can have a reasonable debate but your going to have to come up with a reasonable argument. You really just sound like a *****.
Do you remember how Ray Lewis was treated at his first Super Bowl. I'm sure you don't. The entire Ravens team were treated like criminals. Billick said it himself. Go watch the NFL Network film on the Ravens that year.
Ray Lewis is not dominating the Super Bowl talk on TV. It's on the radio where a station like the one you work at that is exploiting Ray Lewis. Congratulations. Exploitation paid your bills this week.
My TV is basically stuck on the NFL network and it's not Ray Lewis 24-7. I think they actually cut back some of the planned coverage on him because of the haters. I barely hear his name mentioned.
Yet I have heard on the radio all week in Philly nothing but Ray Lewis talk. Why. Because it gets people to call in.
Antler Spray.
So what. This is football. When a player on your team gets caught taking a banned substance the first two questions every fan of that team asks is. When will he be back and what games will he miss. We don't care. It's football.
Did anyone lose their mind when Rodney Harrison was caught using roids. Then played in the Superbowl. I don't remember it ever coming up at media day.
Religion.
A poll was published today that said 1/3 of the responders believe God decides the Superbowl Winner. 50% believed God blesses those athletes who are more religions with winning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...v=sDfc_1tptE0#!
Maybe that minister you quoted could find some other things than Ray Lewis to clear up about his own religion. I'm sure you can find some quotes from that minister speaking out against the pedophilia of the Catholic Church. I won't hold my breath.
I don't believe in any religion. So the religious talk is just silly to me. But I do find it strange that a man who at his darkest moment turned to the Christian God and from what I can see. If that's what he believes has helped Ray Lewis change his life for the better. What more can you ask for. Do you want him to be PacMan Jones and never learn.
Yet it is those that call themselves Christians who seem to be the people that dislike him the most. Strange religion they got there.
Questions.
So what if Ray Lewis doesn't want to answer certain questions. Your really reaching here and showing the depths of your hate. Maybe you need to pay more attention to your girl than Ray Lewis. When you went there it was kind of weird.
So you want him to be distracted and answer questions on things he wishes not to bring up. That's his choice. Deal with it.
Is Ray Lewis running for office. Is he watching your kids. So what if he doesn't answer a question that has nothing to do with the game.
Maybe you should ask yourself.
Who have you inspired today to live their life better. How many kids hospitals have you been to. How many foundations to help people have you started. How many charities do you help.
How many people have you helped being the greatest person alive since you have never done anything wrong.
As Ray would say. Let those without sin cast the first stone.
Ray Lewis was in a fight. Two people were stabbed and his car was shot up.
Why do you care what Ray Lewis does. What effect does it have on your life.
Maybe you should ask yourself why you dislike a man who has helped more people in his life than you ever will.
Do you remember how Ray Lewis was treated at his first Super Bowl. I'm sure you don't. The entire Ravens team were treated like criminals. Billick said it himself. Go watch the NFL Network film on the Ravens that year.
Ray Lewis is not dominating the Super Bowl talk on TV. It's on the radio where a station like the one you work at that is exploiting Ray Lewis. Congratulations. Exploitation paid your bills this week.
My TV is basically stuck on the NFL network and it's not Ray Lewis 24-7. I think they actually cut back some of the planned coverage on him because of the haters. I barely hear his name mentioned.
Yet I have heard on the radio all week in Philly nothing but Ray Lewis talk. Why. Because it gets people to call in.
Antler Spray.
So what. This is football. When a player on your team gets caught taking a banned substance the first two questions every fan of that team asks is. When will he be back and what games will he miss. We don't care. It's football.
Did anyone lose their mind when Rodney Harrison was caught using roids. Then played in the Superbowl. I don't remember it ever coming up at media day.
Religion.
A poll was published today that said 1/3 of the responders believe God decides the Superbowl Winner. 50% believed God blesses those athletes who are more religions with winning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...v=sDfc_1tptE0#!
Maybe that minister you quoted could find some other things than Ray Lewis to clear up about his own religion. I'm sure you can find some quotes from that minister speaking out against the pedophilia of the Catholic Church. I won't hold my breath.
I don't believe in any religion. So the religious talk is just silly to me. But I do find it strange that a man who at his darkest moment turned to the Christian God and from what I can see. If that's what he believes has helped Ray Lewis change his life for the better. What more can you ask for. Do you want him to be PacMan Jones and never learn.
Yet it is those that call themselves Christians who seem to be the people that dislike him the most. Strange religion they got there.
Questions.
So what if Ray Lewis doesn't want to answer certain questions. Your really reaching here and showing the depths of your hate. Maybe you need to pay more attention to your girl than Ray Lewis. When you went there it was kind of weird.
So you want him to be distracted and answer questions on things he wishes not to bring up. That's his choice. Deal with it.
Is Ray Lewis running for office. Is he watching your kids. So what if he doesn't answer a question that has nothing to do with the game.
Maybe you should ask yourself.
Who have you inspired today to live their life better. How many kids hospitals have you been to. How many foundations to help people have you started. How many charities do you help.
How many people have you helped being the greatest person alive since you have never done anything wrong.
As Ray would say. Let those without sin cast the first stone.
Ray Lewis was in a fight. Two people were stabbed and his car was shot up.
Why do you care what Ray Lewis does. What effect does it have on your life.
Maybe you should ask yourself why you dislike a man who has helped more people in his life than you ever will.
# 7
BlackRome @ Feb 2
I meant to cut this off after the first stone comment. I had more to add on the Atlanta incident. So there was more after the car got shot up sentence.
# 8
TB12TCUPROCOMBAT @ Feb 2
Everyone has their own opinion on people talking about god after winning a game. It's one of those things that will always be said by at least one player in a postgame interview. I don't care what religion a player is for but you religion is your own and they should at least keep it to themselves because honestly i dont believe in whatever they say because really of all of the things that will be going on in the world and to think that god will put everything aside on that day because he wants the Ravens or the 49ers to win is kind of ridiculous to me. And also about this antler spray is kind of silly as well because it always has to happen before the big game and it is stupid and i don't know much about this problem but i don't know why someone would ingest spray just so they can recover a couple of weeks faster.
Ray Lewis is a great player but has slowed down in past years. He is a great thing for all of the ravens fans but he needs to keep his spaztic pregame dance to himself because it just makes him look stupid so he should just stick to his pregame speeches as motivation.
Ray Lewis is a great player but has slowed down in past years. He is a great thing for all of the ravens fans but he needs to keep his spaztic pregame dance to himself because it just makes him look stupid so he should just stick to his pregame speeches as motivation.
# 9
jchap38 @ Feb 2
You know when you make it to he top,people will always try to bring you back down down to their level. Which is what ray lewis meant when he said no weapon against me shall prosper. your blog is totally out of context. Sounds like either you don't like when a blck person succeeds or you just a *****. Your title to your own opinion just make sure its facts next time. I don't even see how operationsports let you post this. Oh yea I forgot operationsports by some down low racist people as well.
# 10
TreyIM2 @ Feb 2
I get what you're saying and you're just giving your view on it. I think that people attacking it aren't any better than you.
I can agree with the ridiculousness of what Ray says about God in those moments. Who's to say that someone else on a losing team they've gone against isn't more spiritual or has more spiritual people, overall? Or the person/ppl aren't more giving and charitable with his/their time? What makes Ray so special that God is looking at ONLY him?? To me, he comes off very self centered with stuff like that. How bout the fact that the Ravens HAVE NOT even BEEN back to the Bowl in, what, 12years??? What was God doing for Ray in all those games they lost that kept them away from the Bowl? C'mon, mang, get off that.
That's apart of the problem when ppl get too "religious". There is a sneaky self entitlement that comes along with those ppl as if they are somehow BETTER and more deserved than others. That's how Ray comes off to me when he talks like that but, ironically, the Word is a bit hypocritical and misleading in it's message and interpretation. Why? Because it was written by PEOPLE, people who are prone to being SUBJECTIVE.
Life is pretty much fair game. We were all given free will to do what we please. Have u ever come across someone who seems to do a whole lot of wrong but get rewarded, somehow? TONS of ppl like that. That's life. It's a crap shoot. Ever come across ppl who seem to be the kindest, nicest and most generous ppl u ever met YET, somehow, life seems to dump on them? Go figure. Again, that's LIFE and it's a crap shoot. Things happen for illogical reasons. To "hide behind" God is something I think ppl need to understand means nada. We live and hope for the best. Period.
Whoa, didn't mean to get that deep on this but after all of that, I actually LIKE Ray because he is a man who is actually trying to do a whole lot of good for others and he is a charismatic leader. He IS very inspirational to me and if that is his way of leading, so be it. With all the wrong and negative messages out here, there is really nothing wrong with Ray being Ray when you really think about it. No one is perfect but this man really tries to do well as a person after learning the hard way.
I say, preach on, Ray. Could be worse, ya heard?? Lol.
I can agree with the ridiculousness of what Ray says about God in those moments. Who's to say that someone else on a losing team they've gone against isn't more spiritual or has more spiritual people, overall? Or the person/ppl aren't more giving and charitable with his/their time? What makes Ray so special that God is looking at ONLY him?? To me, he comes off very self centered with stuff like that. How bout the fact that the Ravens HAVE NOT even BEEN back to the Bowl in, what, 12years??? What was God doing for Ray in all those games they lost that kept them away from the Bowl? C'mon, mang, get off that.
That's apart of the problem when ppl get too "religious". There is a sneaky self entitlement that comes along with those ppl as if they are somehow BETTER and more deserved than others. That's how Ray comes off to me when he talks like that but, ironically, the Word is a bit hypocritical and misleading in it's message and interpretation. Why? Because it was written by PEOPLE, people who are prone to being SUBJECTIVE.
Life is pretty much fair game. We were all given free will to do what we please. Have u ever come across someone who seems to do a whole lot of wrong but get rewarded, somehow? TONS of ppl like that. That's life. It's a crap shoot. Ever come across ppl who seem to be the kindest, nicest and most generous ppl u ever met YET, somehow, life seems to dump on them? Go figure. Again, that's LIFE and it's a crap shoot. Things happen for illogical reasons. To "hide behind" God is something I think ppl need to understand means nada. We live and hope for the best. Period.
Whoa, didn't mean to get that deep on this but after all of that, I actually LIKE Ray because he is a man who is actually trying to do a whole lot of good for others and he is a charismatic leader. He IS very inspirational to me and if that is his way of leading, so be it. With all the wrong and negative messages out here, there is really nothing wrong with Ray being Ray when you really think about it. No one is perfect but this man really tries to do well as a person after learning the hard way.
I say, preach on, Ray. Could be worse, ya heard?? Lol.
# 11
khaliib @ Feb 2
Probably should close this because it's going to lead to extremes beyond the OP's intentions.
Interesting that when coach's/players etc... use profanity left and right, our ears perk up and we listen with great detail until the end, but anything about their faith (not Religion, there is a clear difference between the two) we want to tune them out.
I will say this, in all my years being around athletes, when that injury came their way, they "All" cried out to God no matter what they believed/practiced before that.
Interesting that when coach's/players etc... use profanity left and right, our ears perk up and we listen with great detail until the end, but anything about their faith (not Religion, there is a clear difference between the two) we want to tune them out.
I will say this, in all my years being around athletes, when that injury came their way, they "All" cried out to God no matter what they believed/practiced before that.
# 12
inkcil @ Feb 2
@Aggies67...your points are right on.
@khaliib...you are right, the OP opened a real can of worms.
@DarthLeon...I'm not surprised at all, the reality of human suffering is a large reason why many choose not to beleive in God. Whether it be in contrast to a SuperBowl or a Rich jerk or just a regular guy who has a great day where everything goes his way - people have a hard time reconciling these things with poverty, suffering, starvation, murder, etc. in the context of a loving, all knowing, ever present God.
@khaliib...you are right, the OP opened a real can of worms.
@DarthLeon...I'm not surprised at all, the reality of human suffering is a large reason why many choose not to beleive in God. Whether it be in contrast to a SuperBowl or a Rich jerk or just a regular guy who has a great day where everything goes his way - people have a hard time reconciling these things with poverty, suffering, starvation, murder, etc. in the context of a loving, all knowing, ever present God.
# 13
Lukin4 @ Feb 3
Aggies, totally understand that, it's pretty much the one thing that religion and I agree on. I would think the greater irony is someone like Ray Lewis using his faith as a shield against anyone that dares speak the truth about him... And why don't we ever hear any of these guys blame their god when they lose???
# 14
inkcil @ Feb 3
Jersey,
I think more than that, the OP is saying that God has limits that bind him to either caring about the game or about other world issues, as if God couldn't be everywhere at once and had to "pick" what channel he was going to watch or what city He was going to be in...that is what I found ridiculous. The God Lewis refers to is described as caring for animals and nature, so it's laughable to think he wouldn't care about people and what they do, whether its playing catch in the bakcyard or at the Superbowl. What if a loss is something God uses to change the life of a player on the Patriots, Broncos or Colts? I could go on and on...bottom line it's far from being as simple as you describe.
I think more than that, the OP is saying that God has limits that bind him to either caring about the game or about other world issues, as if God couldn't be everywhere at once and had to "pick" what channel he was going to watch or what city He was going to be in...that is what I found ridiculous. The God Lewis refers to is described as caring for animals and nature, so it's laughable to think he wouldn't care about people and what they do, whether its playing catch in the bakcyard or at the Superbowl. What if a loss is something God uses to change the life of a player on the Patriots, Broncos or Colts? I could go on and on...bottom line it's far from being as simple as you describe.
# 15
big_tone91 @ Feb 3
Wow this is ridiculous didn't realize how many ppl actually think their god gives 2 $hits about who wins a kids game.
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God is soverign over everything, whether it be a little kid ordering an ice cream from a ice cream truck on a random Saturday or a lion talking down a wilderbeast or yes, even a sports game.
You "sound" like your problem is not with Lewis, but with religious concepts and theories.