by Ray Lewis
First published 2015
Ray Lewis built his reputation as one of football's most fearsome defenders, but his path to greatness began in a broken home with an absent father and a struggling single mother. Through seventeen seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Lewis battled opponents on the field while wrestling with personal demons off it. Major controversy threatened to destroy his career, yet he persevered to capture two Super Bowl championships. A devastating injury nearly robbed him of his final shot at glory, but Lewis fought back to retire on top with confetti falling around him. He reveals the brutal reality behind professional football's glamorous facade, exposing the relentless physical and mental toll players endure. Lewis credits his unwavering faith in God and unshakeable sense of purpose for transforming personal tragedy into professional triumph. His mother's influence shaped his character while Baltimore became his second home. The book chronicles his rise from abandoned child to defensive legend, showing how heartbreak can fuel greatness when channeled through faith and determination.
Genres: biography-memoir, football, inspirational, christian-living
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: rags-to-riches, redemption
Setting: Baltimore
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
288 pages · Hardcover · Atria Books