Lewis lets loose before, during, after

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) gave hometown fans a final taste of his trademark dance near the end of the second half of Sunday’s NFL wild-card playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts in Baltimore. Lewis will retire at the end of the season.
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) gave hometown fans a final taste of his trademark dance near the end of the second half of Sunday’s NFL wild-card playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts in Baltimore. Lewis will retire at the end of the season.

— Ray Lewis did his part to ensure that his last home game wouldn’t also be the final chapter of his NFL career.

Lewis had a team-high 13 tackles Sunday to help the Baltimore Ravens beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-9 Sunday in the opening round of the playoffs. Despite dropping a sure interception, his performance in the middle of the Baltimore defense - and the emotional lift it provided - was a key component of the victory.

He finished up by entering on offense, 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage as Baltimore ran a kneel-down to wrap up the game. As the clock ticked down to 0:00, Lewis broke into his trademark dance.

Baltimore will travel to Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos on Saturday. Lewis announced Wednesday that he will end his 17-year NFL career after the Ravens complete their postseason run.

Wearing a brace on his right arm, Lewis played for the first time since tearing his right triceps on Oct. 14 against Dallas. He had seven tackles in the first half, including one in the Indianapolis backfield on running back Vick Ballard during a blitz.

The Ravens held the Colts without a touchdown, the second time this season that Indianapolis failed to score at least 10 points.

Fans behind the Baltimore sideline shouted in unison, “Thank you, Ray!” as the clock approached the two minute warning,

Then, with 1:57 left, the scoreboard displayed a montage of Lewis’ finest plays, including several crushing hits. He responded by clasping his hands together over his head, tapping his heart and waving.

Minutes before the opening kickoff, Lewis thrilled the sellout crowd during introductions by coming out of the tunnel and gyrating to the tune “Hot in Herre.”

Lewis concluded pregame warmups by addressing the entire team on the 5-yard line. After his short speech, Lewis hugged a few teammates, mingled with a few people in the crowd and jogged to the sideline, where he engaged in a lengthy embrace with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Thousands of fans were wearing No. 52 jerseys. Lewis has been a fan favorite in Baltimore since he was selected in the first round of the Ravens’ initial draft in 1996.

Ken Malik, 61, wore a purple Lewis jersey and a broad smile.

“It’s the end of an era for the Baltimore Ravens,” he said. “He’s been a great player. He’s stood for what the Baltimore Ravens are and what they have been since they (came) to Baltimore.”

One fan had a sign with a purple heart and the No. 52 in the middle. Earlier, a helicopter flew overhead with the No. 52 painted on its undercarriage.

Lewis was elected to 13 Pro Bowls and is a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He told his teammates on Wednesday, “This will be my last ride.”

One fan in the crowd had a sign that read: “Let’s Ride To New Orleans,” site of the Super Bowl. Two more victories, and the Ravens will be there.

Sports, Pages 16 on 01/07/2013

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