In an interview with Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer Tuesday, Ray Lewis criticized Reggie Bush and the rest of the so-called ‘cute boys’ of the NFL. The two time NFL Defensive Player of the year and eight time Pro Bowler lamments the fact that he is one of the few players that play ‘old school’ football, and the younger guys are further runing the game.
In Glazer’s article “Lewis Plays Old School Football” (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7095056), Ray believes that the the game has lost its old school principles-gut checking, sacrifice, hard hits, and struggle. Here are some interesting quotes from the piece.
“I’m a historian, a fan of how this game was built. The game aint the game anymore. The game used to be the game when running backs would run into that line and tell you point blank to your face ‘You got to bring it to me!” Now you have guys falling to the ground on every play. I have never seen so many players just falling to the ground like they are now. That’s the way these players are being protected nowadays. It’s ingraned.”
“Look at these linemen nowadays, everyone is nice. It’s one way, either I’m going to feed mine or you are going to feed yours. Period! Guys say to me, Ray , you are just too mean. Ray, why do you play like that? It’s not supposed to be that serious.”
” You can be the most athletic person in the world, you can be good or you can be great. Great are the ones who go beyond. That’s the thing these kids don’t care about these days. Why would they care about it? The business of football isn’t set up like that. Why would they go and say let me go push myself. When we got ready to go play Reggie Bush last year I was like, Cute kid. Love him but he isn’t ready for this because he isn’t built for this yet.”
You know, I do agree with Lewis when he said that the game isn’t as hard and brutal as it was in the past. Over the past 20 years or so, we have had numerous rule changes that coddle players namely quarterbacks. I think that it is wrong to get fined for delivering hard, crushing but fair hits because this is what made the NFL $5 billion in yearly revenue. Roger Goodell should review the rules and modify some of them because this is the ultimate contact sport, and hard hits are only par for the course.
I also agree with Lewis when he talked about guys putting in the work to make themselves great. We as fans only see the flash. We see the end zone celebrations, speed, and agility. However, we don’t see or hear about the hard gruling work these men put in to make those breath taking runs and acrobatic catches. We, as fans are also ignorant to the fact that the drive and the will to put in extra work is one of the keys to longevity.
Jerry Rice is a prime example of someone who went above and beyond what was required to be a great player. This guy was so into his craft that he didn’t take a vacation for 12 years. This guy along with Roger Craig, Barry Sanders, and few others ran hills in the oppressive California heat every offseason to make themselves better than the year before. Ray Lewis even said himself that he likes to push his body to the point of failure. He said that he like to stay in the bed all day recovering from his intense workouts. This is the main reason while he is the heart and soul of the Baltimore Ravens.
As for Lewis’ dig at Reggie Bush, I would have to disagree! I disagree because aside from the flash and media attention, this is a level headed man here. This guy is aware of the ways of the game and prepares accordingly. According to teammates, Reggie wanted to get in some quick workouts immediately before and immediately after his apperance at the ESPY’s. Reggie also volunteered to be the Saints’ kick returner this year.
As far as the “cute” boys of the NFL, there are plenty that Ray can knock the hell out of. Ray can knock some sense into Arizona Cardinals QB Matt Linert on Sept. 23, Kellen “I’m a soldier” Winslow II and Brady Quinn at Cleveland on Sept. 30, and Tom ” Best Dressed Man in the World” Brady on Dec. 3!
Ray Lewis seems like a man who can back up the trash he talks! Browns, Cardnals, Patriots beware!
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