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When Ray Lewis burst into rather blubbery tears during the National Anthem before last night’s game, Twitter, rather predictably, blew up:
Ray Lewis has way more feelings than you during the National Anthem said @BuzzFeedSports, linking to a GIF of Ray crying.
Ray Lewis really loves America said @USATODAYsports
This Just In: Ray Lewis has Emotions wrote The Score (@thescore).
Ray Lewis Must’ve Watched Marley and Me Before the National Anthem wrote, well, me. (@maxthegirl)
But of course, if you’re a fan of football, you already know about Ray Lewis and his emotions. They pour out all over the field, on the sidelines, in the tunnel, during the coin toss, during the game, in the post-game prayer. (Probably, and this is just a guess—when he has breakfast, when he picks up his mail, when he walks his dog, when he watches the evening news . . well, you get the point.)
Ray Lewis is. . .The Most Emotional Man Alive!
The question is: Is it for real? Or is it a show, as his detractors claim, to get more attention? (Ray Lewis just sold me a used car with those anthem antics wrote Kansas City Sports Anchor @mickshaffer).
I, for one, think it’s completely real, a reflection of a man who is extremely intense, extremely religious, extremely competitive, and relies on his emotions to fuel and sustain his high level of play.
(Football is a crazy game, you guys. You have to whip yourself into some sort of competitive frenzy to go out there and take that punishment for three hours.)
Say what you will about Ray Lewis, not only will he go down in history as one of the best linebackers of all time, he will go down in history as one of the best on-field LEADERS of all time.
His teammates love him, they rally around him, they emulate his will to win, and they feed off his—yes—emotion.
I’m sure opposing fans can’t stand to see Ray’s tears—or his hyped up tunnel dance or his post-game drop to his knees in prayer. But I say, bring on the tears, Ray. They make you and the team even better. Now, when is Kleenex going to wise up and give the guy a commercial deal?
Photo via theScore.
