On Saturday Ray Lewis will officially join other greats in gridiron immortality. Over the course of his 17-year Hall of Fame career, Lewis gained a reputation as one of the most intense players in NFL history. That being said, the Ravens recently posted a clip showing Lewis' easygoing, jovial side. Here's a baby-faced Ray Lewis rapping on a horse in 1997:
It really doesn't need to be explained, but let's point out a few reasons why this clip is great:
1. Ray Lewis' fire bars.
As seen in his many motivational speeches, the two-time Super Bowl champion has a way with words. However, speaking in a locker room and freestyling on a majestic creature that typically weighs over 1,000 pounds are two different tasks.
Ray started a little timid with the predictable: "My name is Ray and I'm here to say..."
However, things picked up and he mixed in some trash talking while keeping it PG for the kids:
"Running through the grass, intercepting a pass, make a tough running back fall on his a--."
2. He's holding the reins correctly.
One Twitter user pointed out that on top of spitting heat, Lewis remembered to hold the reins correctly. Multi-tasking FTW.
3. Ray Lewis adding the little-known (unknown? non-existent?) tradition of horses in rap videos.
There have been hundreds, if not thousands, of videos featuring rappers and dogs. However, what about animals that are a little more extraordinary? Since the 1980s, there have been hip-hop music videos prominently featuring horses. Here are a few:
Note: One video that surprisingly doesn't feature a horse is Ginuwine "Pony."
Kool Moe Dee "Wild Wild West" (1988)
Jermaine Dupri feat. Jay Z "Money Ain't a Thang" (1998)
Rick Ross feat. John Legend "Magnificent" (2009)
