Prior to the Ravens' inaugural season in 1996, Ozzie Newsome had a pair of first-round draft picks to utilize.
Nerwsome avoided a potentially disastrous selection by passing over troubled Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips and selecting future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden with the fourth overall pick.
Twenty-two selections later, Newsome struck gold for the second time, drafting undersized, speedy Miami middle linebacker Ray Lewis.
Now, Newsome is bidding farewell to Lewis as the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has announced that he will retire after this season.
“Ray Lewis will not only be remembered as one of the greatest to play his position, he will also be thought of as one of the greatest players in NFL history," Newsome said in a statement Wednesday. "And, he is one of the greatest without a doubt. He had the one quality all of the best have: He made all the players, coaches and people around him better. It has been a privilege and a joy to be with him throughout his career. We in the Ravens have been very fortunate to be around this great man and player.”
awilson@baltsun.com
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