Ray Lewis spent 17 seasons instilling fear in his opponents while serving as an inspirational leader for the Ravens.
Now he’s poised and eager to become a full-time dad.
Lewis said yesterday he will end his brilliant NFL career after the Ravens complete their 2013 playoff run.
Lewis has been sidelined since Oct. 14 with a torn right triceps. The 13-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker intends to return Sunday to face the Indianapolis Colts in what will almost certainly be his final home game.
“Everything that starts has an end,” the 37-year-old Lewis said. “For me, today, I told my team that this will be my last ride.”
Lewis will walk away from the game because he wants to spend more time with his sons.
Lewis, selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 draft, is the key figure in a defense that has long carried a reputation for being unyielding.
He led the Ravens in tackles in 14 of his 17 seasons, the exceptions being those years in which he missed significant time with injuries (2002, 2005, 2012).
CHIEFS: Kansas City was courting former Eagles coach Andy Reid, who was among seven NFL coaches fired Monday, as they searched for a replacement for Romeo Crennel, axed after the worst season in franchise history.
Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt was meeting with Reid in Philadelphia, a person familiar with Reid’s plans told the Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans were not made public.
Reid, fired Monday after 14 seasons in Philadelphia, also planned to interview for the open job in Arizona. The Cardinals dismissed Ken Whisenhunt on Monday. Reid also could have an interview with the Cardinals today but will speak to the Chiefs first.
BROWNS: Cleveland may strike quickly to get Chip Kelly, Oregon’s coach. Kelly, who has maintained the Ducks’ status as a national power, appears to be near the top of Cleveland’s list of candidates to replace fired Pat Shurmur.
According to several reports, Browns CEO Joe Banner is already in Arizona and intends to interview Kelly, who is preparing the fifth-ranked Ducks for tonight’s Fiesta Bowl against Kansas State.
ESPN.com reported Kelly also will interview with the Bills.
CARDINALS: Arizona has completed an extensive interview that spread over two days with defensive coordinator Ray Horton in the search for a replacement for fired coach Ken Whisenhunt. Horton is also set to meet with the Bills, who fired Chan Gailey Monday.
Cardinals president Michael Bidwill has identified Horton, Reid and Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy as candidates to replace Whisenhunt. Arizona plans to interview McCoy in Denver this weekend. He also is set to interview with the Bills this weekend.
CHARGERS:
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immy Raye, San Diego’s director of player personnel, apparently was the first candidate to interview to replace fired Chargers GM A.J. Smith.
Ron Wolf, the former Green Bay Packers GM who’s serving as a consultant for Chargers president Dean Spanos , said in a conference call yesterday the first interview was Tuesday in San Diego. Asked if that interview was with an outside candidate, Wolf said: “Not to my knowledge.”
COWBOYS: Owner Jerry Jones, whose team has one playoff win since 1996, said on KRLD-FM in Dallas that changes are coming.
“It’s going to be very uncomfortable at Valley Ranch,” he said. “I can tell you change is necessary at 8-8.”