There's one secret to hitting hard, and that is to completely dedicate your body. That's the difference between a man going forward and a man going backward, no matter how big he is.

A poll of NFL coaches selected him as the most dominant player in the NFL before the 2003 season by being mentioned on 10 ballots while no other player was mentioned more than twice. In addition Lewis totaled four sacks an interception a forced fumble a fumble recovery and 11 pass deflections. The team set a 16-game single-season record for fewest points allowed (165) and fewest rushing yards allowed (970).

Drafted by the Ravens in 1996 Lewis was the last player remaining from the inaugural team at the start of the 2012–13 season. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2000 and 2003 becoming the sixth player to win the award multiple times.