Joe Flacco Replies to Ray Lewis' Comments About His Lack of Passion

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco didn't seem too pleased with comments made by former teammate Ray Lewis, questioning his passion for the game. 

On Friday, Flacco spoke to the media as his teammates shouted words of encouragement, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com:

"

It's a little surprising coming from Ray. But it's been something I've dealt with probably back before high school. It's just part of my personality. When things are going good, it's questioned as if it's a good thing. When things aren't going as well as you might like them to be, it's always a question as to whether my personality is that of one that fits what an NFL quarterback should be. It's not anything I'm not used to. But it is a little bit different coming from Ray.

"

Lewis, who won a pair of Super Bowls with the Ravens—with one of them coming alongside Flacco—was a 13-time Pro Bowler who was known as one of the most fiery competitors in the league. 

On Thursday, he spoke with Fox Sports' Speak For Yourself and pointed at the quarterback in an attempt to explain why the Ravens have struggled at times this season:

As one of the greatest players in Ravens franchise history, Lewis seems to have Flacco's respect regardless of his thoughts. "You want to be able to listen to what he says and all that," Flacco said. "I know he hasn't been here for a while. We want him to feel a part of this place. We want him to come around."

Flacco is in his ninth season in the league and it hasn't been his best. Through nine games, he has nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. His Ravens are 5-4 this season. 

However, his calm demeanor is what's made him such a successful quarterback over the years, which included a victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. 

If that attitude is good enough to win a Super Bowl, then it will probably be good enough to steer the Ravens through difficult times.