Remembering the Ray Lewis controversy

[Uncle Rico]

For those (like me) who need a history refresher, Grantland obliges.

Remembering the Ray Lewis Controversy - The Triangle Blog - Grantland

Interesting read, even if the writing is a little Wikipedia-esque. Describes the night of the famous incident in a lot of detail, chronologically. Then ...

Feb. 12, 2000 — Ray Lewis and his two acquaintances are indicted by a Fulton County grand jury on two counts each of malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Warrants have been issued for Reginald Oakley, 31, of Baltimore, and Joseph Sweeting, 34, of Miami. Sweeting is charged with Lollar’s death and Oakley with Baker’s.

...

June 5, 2000 — Lewis agrees to a plea bargain — his murder and aggravated assault charges are dropped in exchange for his testimony against Sweeting and Oakley. As part of the deal, he also pleads guilty to obstruction of justice (for telling people in his limo to keep quiet) and receives a year of probation.

...

August 17, 2000 — NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue fines Lewis $250,000 for obstructing the police investigation. That amount is believed to be the largest fine for an NFL player in cases not involving substance abuse. Tagliabue adds that Lewis will be fined another $250,000 and subject to suspension if he violates his probation.

Lawsuits and settlements ensue.

All fascinating history as Lewis and Roger Goodell hug out the end of Ray's career.

 

[PatsFanJess]

I'm not sure I would classify murder as "controversy"

 

[andrewgarrr]

Distasteful

 

[RodThePat]

Distasteful

What's distasteful? Remembering that there's a high possibility Ray Lewis was involved with a murder? I think distasteful is making his guy out to be some sort of hero and trying to erase any trace of this story from his past.

 

[andrewgarrr]

What's distasteful? Remembering that there's a high possibility Ray Lewis was involved with a murder? I think distasteful is making his guy out to be some sort of hero and trying to erase any trace of this story from his past.

You're an idiot.

 

[scout]

Rico, your post is sure to attract some Raven and Lewis loyalists.
I read a recent article by Jason Whitlock who more or less has pardoned Lewis. The reasoning was logical as he related an incident while in college. Some bigots called him and some friends out of a car (racist slurs). Unknown to him, his friend had pulled an an assault weapon out of the trunk and was threatening to fire on the bigots. The story goes on about his situation could have ended much like Lewis's.

Here is the difference. Two people were stabbed to death. Lewis and friends left the scene. According to the chauffeur's first testimony, they bragged about the stabbing. After all this went down, Lewis was uncooperative with the police.

Now, I am fairly confident that someone will disagree with my post. If you do, be articulate because the I don't like Ray's Kool-aid.

 

[Welkerstache]

It's amazing that some people are so football-obsessed they'll exonerate a potential murderer because the alleged perp makes tackles and leads tv-friendly pre-game warmup chants.

Get right in the head.

 

[fake punt]

What's distasteful? Remembering that there's a high possibility Ray Lewis was involved with a murder? I think distasteful is making his guy out to be some sort of hero and trying to erase any trace of this story from his past.

Exactly right. Besides, his choreographed self-centered dance before games is wildly lame. I would root against any team he played for on principle alone. You'd think that after murdering someone you'd play it cool and be humble and quiet for the rest of your life.

 

[RodThePat]

You're an idiot.

And you're an oversensitive prick who can't handle a dissenting opinion. Wow, someone disagreed with you, welcome to the internet, buddy.

 

[Jackson 2]

That's nothing compared to openly taping the other team's defensive signals from an unauthorized spot on the sidelines. That should have drawn the ultimate sanction - the death penalty for BB.

 

[Welkerstache]

The whole Ray Lewis incident was one of the reasons I took a major step back from being an NFL fan and only watched the Patriots. It was a harbinger of acceptance of thug culture in the NFL.

 

[Welkerstache]

That's nothing compared to openly taping the other team's defensive signals from an unauthorized spot on the sidelines. That should have drawn the ultimate sanction - the death penalty for BB.

Really. Why didn't Bill hack up a couple of the opposing players, since a double murder is apparently less of a transgression, to the NFL.

 

[andrewgarrr]

And you're an oversensitive prick who can't handle a dissenting opinion. Wow, someone disagreed with you, welcome to the internet, buddy.

You're a ****ing idiot.

 

[Jackson 2]

Really. Why didn't Bill hack up a couple of the opposing players, since a double murder is apparently less of a transgression, to the NFL.

Have a little trouble recognizing sarcasm? Holy sh$&...