Quote: Retired NFL linebacker and new televison analyst Ray Lewis was known for his fiery pre-game speeches, attempting to pump his Baltimore Raven teammates up for 60 minutes of football.
While some could argue what the speeches really did for the team, one person who didn’t quite understand them was quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco.
In an interview with ESPN the Magazine, Flacco said that he is taking on more of a leadership role this season, but not the way that Lewis did it.
“That’s not me,” Flacco says. “I love Ray, and I love how he always spoke from the heart, but if you listened to those speeches, a lot of them didn’t even make sense. He meant everything he was saying, but I didn’t know what he was talking about 90 percent of the time.”
Quote: Maybe he needed June Cleaver aka Evelyn Bronson to interpret.
"Jus hang loose blood ... "
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
But to the point of this article ... I never could stand Ray Lewis' pregame rituals/speeches. He was a blowhard for the camera and an attention hound. Crying during the National Anthem? Give me a break.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Quote: But to the point of this article ... I never could stand Ray Lewis' pregame rituals/speeches. He was a blowhard for the camera and an attention hound. Crying during the National Anthem? Give me a break.
He was just practicing for his soon-to-be-launched post-football acting career.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
Its Flacco's team now, and I think he recognizes that, so I think its appropriate for him to point to team leadership "style" in the past and say "thats not me". I have no doubt there were eyerolls among the non-sheep on the Ravens team whenever Lewis would start one of his self-aggrandizing sideline riffs. It was never anything more than theater for the benefit of Ray Lewis' public image. I kind of like Joe Flacco more now for saying this, even if he is a Raven.
Quote: Its Flacco's team now, and I think he recognizes that, so I think its appropriate for him to point to team leadership "style" in the past and say "thats not me". I have no doubt there were eyerolls among the non-sheep on the Ravens team whenever Lewis would start one of his self-aggrandizing sideline riffs. It was never anything more than theater for the benefit of Ray Lewis' public image. I kind of like Joe Flacco more now for saying this, even if he is a Raven.
I agree that it's Flaccos team now and he needs to assert himself. But doing so while semi bashing his former teammate and a team leader (for better or worse) isn't really helpful.
I'm very sure there are guys on the Ravens, including the front office, that have very strong positive feelings for Lewis. Flacco risks alienating them with comments like those.
And the thing is, they are not needed.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
J/C, As one who lives down in this DC/MD/VA area, those Balt fans LOVE Ray, LOVE that pregame dance and all that motivational stuff spewing from his mouth! I hope Flacco does some winning because if not, all these quotes will come back to haunt him!
If you live there, you must have noticed that Flacco has already done some winning. He carried that team through the playoffs last year to a championship, imo. His cred is established. I'm sure the fans loved Lewis' shtick, but I'd bet his teammates got tired of being props for the Ray Lewis Show.
Dave, Yea, I would bet some on that team did get tired of it but Ray had the respect of the ENTIRE org, Area, Fans because HE and that D carried the team for over 10 years. Yes, last year Ray was long in the tooth( even Balt fans admit that). Flacco only has 1 (*really2*) good years on him. He can make those comments but he better win for more years, starting now!
Well, then I hope the Baltimore front office, coaching staff, roster, media, and fans all turn on Flacco. I'm good with anything that leads to their downfall, outside of grievous injuries.
I think "Delirious"is one of the funniest stand up routines of all time. His ripss on Elvis, Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, Mick Jagger etc. brought tears to my eyes. "Hey Elvis, want some lemonade?"
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
Quote: But to the point of this article ... I never could stand Ray Lewis' pregame rituals/speeches. He was a blowhard for the camera and an attention hound. Crying during the National Anthem? Give me a break.
I always though that Lewis was damn close to being a professional wrassler with his pre-game antics.
He was a great player, but I could have done without all of the nonsense and "look at me" crap that came with him onto the field.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Quote: I think "Delirious"is one of the funniest stand up routines of all time. His ripss on Elvis, Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, Mick Jagger etc. brought tears to my eyes. "Hey Elvis, want some lemonade?"
"Lemondade - that cool, refreshing drink!"
There may be people who have more talent than you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do. -Derek Jeter
If I was a teammate of Lewis and he started giving me one of those speeches, I would have told him to get away. I can't stand listening to that kind of garbage from anyone, people try too hard and become fake when they give those kinds of speeches. It ends up being a waste of time for the person "listening" while the speaker inflates their own ego into thinking they're more important than they really are. If I'm in the NFL, I don't need anyone else trying to pump me up or get me ready for a game, I would have done enough of that for myself.
Quote: If I was a teammate of Lewis and he started giving me one of those speeches, I would have told him to get away.
Because you are just that much stronger (and I'm not talking physically) than the several hundred players that played with him?
Ray Lewis's speeches and rants were secondary to his true inspiration which is how he played. If he didn't play the way he did, nobody would have listened to his rants..... and its very hard to argue that he didn't make 10 other guys better all the time.
Quote: Lets crank this up. Somebody ask Joe what he thinks of Rays Limo ride, bloddy clothes, and hiding the truth from the police
The only post on this entire thread that brings up the one AND ONLY point about ray lewis. HES A MURDERER!!!! nothing he can do after that can make up for it. Dances, speeches, preaching god (a god that apparently allows you to murder...) if you want to see the grave his victim is buried in Akron, Ohio (ironic huh? Northeast Ohio.. maybe told him his Ravens should burn in H***) I gained a lot more respect for Flacco after hearing this. At least hes not ignorant enough to take in that BS Lewis spewed out of his mouth for 12 years... Hope someone does to his Bust in Canton what they did to OJs
Quote: If I was a teammate of Lewis and he started giving me one of those speeches, I would have told him to get away.
Because you are just that much stronger (and I'm not talking physically) than the several hundred players that played with him?
Ray Lewis's speeches and rants were secondary to his true inspiration which is how he played. If he didn't play the way he did, nobody would have listened to his rants..... and its very hard to argue that he didn't make 10 other guys better all the time.
I don't know, maybe. Many people are able to motivate themselves for challenges without anybody else trying to do it for them. That's the type of person I am with anything I do. If I'm doing something, I'm already committed to it and fully invested.
I'm sure the fans loved Lewis' shtick, but I'd bet his teammates got tired of being props for the Ray Lewis Show.
it's not just ray. it has become a fad that every team in the nfl, college, and high school are doing now. it's not a motivation tool it's for the cameras.
tradition can only carry you so far, then you have to start winning again.
Quote: this comment by Flacco was something probably best kept to himself.
Why? I think it's great he mentioned it. Flacco was probably having fun with it. I respect Flacco, can't stand Lewis, certainly don't see any harm done. Screw Ray Lewis and his nonsensical BS.
"I am undeterred and I am undaunted." --Kevin Stefanski
"Big hairy American winning machines." --Baker Mayfield
Quote: I'm sure the fans loved Lewis' shtick, but I'd bet his teammates got tired of being props for the Ray Lewis Show.
it's not just ray. it has become a fad that every team in the nfl, college, and high school are doing now. it's not a motivation tool it's for the cameras.
I love seeing white bread Drew Breeze all fired up, staring up at his teammates while gettin' down talking "Street"! That is some funny $#!% right there.
"I am undeterred and I am undaunted." --Kevin Stefanski
"Big hairy American winning machines." --Baker Mayfield
Quote: I don't know, maybe. Many people are able to motivate themselves for challenges without anybody else trying to do it for them. That's the type of person I am with anything I do. If I'm doing something, I'm already committed to it and fully invested.
I'm a firm believer that nobody can really motivate another person... maybe short term, like as long as it takes to run out the field for the first time. After that, if you aren't self-motivated, it's going to show.
My point is that regardless of what you think Ray's antics and his off-field issues, he played at 110% all the time and I think that level of effort rubbed off on his teammates
Quote: I don't know, maybe. Many people are able to motivate themselves for challenges without anybody else trying to do it for them. That's the type of person I am with anything I do. If I'm doing something, I'm already committed to it and fully invested.
I'm a firm believer that nobody can really motivate another person... maybe short term, like as long as it takes to run out the field for the first time. After that, if you aren't self-motivated, it's going to show.
My point is that regardless of what you think Ray's antics and his off-field issues, he played at 110% all the time and I think that level of effort rubbed off on his teammates
This is why I've always laughed when folks said we need a "Rah rah" kinda coach, or a coach "that can get the players up for the game". It is either in you already, or it isn't. Nobody motivates you except you, ever.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
Quote: I don't know, maybe. Many people are able to motivate themselves for challenges without anybody else trying to do it for them. That's the type of person I am with anything I do. If I'm doing something, I'm already committed to it and fully invested.
I'm a firm believer that nobody can really motivate another person... maybe short term, like as long as it takes to run out the field for the first time. After that, if you aren't self-motivated, it's going to show.
My point is that regardless of what you think Ray's antics and his off-field issues, he played at 110% all the time and I think that level of effort rubbed off on his teammates
This is why I've always laughed when folks said we need a "Rah rah" kinda coach, or a coach "that can get the players up for the game". It is either in you already, or it isn't. Nobody motivates you except you, ever.
I agree .... and disagree.
Motivation comes from within ..... however, certain coaches know which buttons to push to get a player to play his very best. Some coaches get more out of players than other coaches do. There is a motivational factor that does come into play. It's not all rah-rah ... but some coaches have guy run through walls for them, while others have players looking for the door.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
All a coach, teacher, parent, boss, whatever can do is provide a solid atmosphere where self-motivated people can thrive... you can't take an unmotivated person and turn them into a motivated person, that has to come from within... as I said before, you might be able to for a very short period of time get somebody's blood pumping with a rah-rah speech, but that doesn't last long and it's hard to repeat..
The converse though is that in a bad atmosphere, you can certainly suck the motivation right out of a motivated person..
I'm going to kind of go against the grain here....I do think a coach's demeanor can affect team play. If you get some nervous, unconfident and unenthused type in there as a leader...it will have a negative impact. On the other hand, a confident, competent inspirational coach will get the most out of their players.
As for the rah rah cheerleading types, I don't think that works at all.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
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