Ray Lewis at Statue Unveiling: 'This is Forever My City'

A bronze statue of retired Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was unveiled Thursday morning at M&T Bank Stadium.

Lewis, 39, has been a fixture of the Ravens franchise during his 17 consecutive seasons as a linebacker, including two Super Bowl wins and 13 trips to the Pro Bowl.

He is “the greatest defensive player of all time,” Steve Bisciotti, owner of the Ravens, said before the bronze statue of Lewis was unveiled outside the stadium.

Lewis, who played with the Ravens from 1996 to 2012, said he promised to bring a Super Bowl win to the team when he was brought on by Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome after playing at the University of Miami.

“Baltimore had never seen a championship. I promised them my first one,” Lewis said.

Lewis thanked his family, Bisciotti, Newsome, the late Steve McNair, Olympian Michael Phelps and others for believing in him and inspiring him, saying he realized many people had a hand in his success. He specifically called out former teammate OJ Brigance as a role model.

He also said he had to thank Baltimore. “I’m never leaving Baltimore. This is forever my city,” Lewis said. With the statue, “I will forever be a part of this city. I’m never leaving.”

The statue is located on Ravens walk, where the Johnny Unitas statue was previously the only one greeting visitors. Both statues were made by local artist Frederick Kail.

Photo Credit: Screenshot from Baltimore Ravens video of unveiling at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 4, 2014.