Well, that was quick. The Baltimore Ravens are planning to erect a statue of Ray Lewis outside of M&T Bank Stadium less than a week after the team won Super Bowl XLVII in the linebacker's final game.
"I think he set himself apart in Baltimore sports history," owner Steve Bisciotti told ESPN's Jamison Hensley, "and we will certainly look into it and I would not be surprised if there is one in the next year or two."
The statue talk is no surprise. Lewis was the last player remaining from the Super Bowl XXXV win and the only player to be on the roster every year of the Ravens' existence. Thirteen-time Pro Bowler. Two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Arguably the top linebacker to ever play in the NFL. The only other player to match him in Baltimore football lore is Johnny Unitas -- and he has a statue outside of the stadium.
When you're talking about the trinity of Baltimore sports legends, you're looking at Cal Ripken Jr., Unitas and Lewis. Ripken Jr. had his statue unveiled in Camden Yards in September.
The only question is which moment will the statue capture? I vote for the end of his dance -- arms outstretched, feet together, chest bowed and mid-scream toward the sky.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
