Ray Lewis: Why His Retirement Saga During the NFL Playoffs Is Out of Control

When the Baltimore Ravens finish their season, it will be the end of Ray Lewis' career.

The future Hall of Famer will go down as one of the most feared linebackers in the history of the National Football League alongside such names as Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert and Ray Nitschke.

However, with his impending retirement dominating the story lines in the NFL playoffs, there is one thing that can be said about Ray's "Last Ride."

This is getting out of control.

A big deal should be made when a great player is going to retire. There's nothing wrong with mentioning the fact a couple times during a broadcast.

Yet, during both the Ravens' wins against the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, CBS decided to have the "Ray-Ray" cam in which it shows every reaction to every play.

In fact, it's astonishing that it hasn't decided to put a link up on the Internet that would put the Tebow Cam to shame.

Holding on Matt Birk? Show Ray. Joe Flacco delay of game? Show Ray. Torrey Smith picks his nose? Show Ray.

Lewis is getting the Ray Bourque treatment. Bourque, however, played in the NHL for 22 years before hoisting the Stanley Cup, while Lewis already has a Super Bowl ring.

Will it really change any opinions if he goes and wins a second ring? Is his Hall of Fame career hinging on whether the Ravens win another Super Bowl?

Absolutely not.

But here we are, seeing Lewis' reaction to John Harbaugh deciding to go for red Gatorade as opposed to blue Gatorade during a timeout.

If Lewis had never won a Super Bowl, I would be driving the bandwagon to get him that first ring.

Even if that was not the case, I'm sure if Lewis showed up on my door and delivered another motivational speech that would make collegiate teammate Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson proud, I may change my mind.

But I'm not going to make a big deal about somebody going for a second Super Bowl ring when some NFL franchises haven't been there once. 

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