Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who is widely considered to be one of the best linebackers of all time, announced he would retire from the NFL after the Ravens complete their 2013 playoff run.
The 13-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker has not played since he tore his right triceps on Oct. 14.
The 37-year-old Lewis spent 17 seasons with the Ravens and is likely to play his last home game, owing to Ravens' No.4 seed in the playoffs, when Baltimore host the Indianapolis Colts in Saunday's wildcard game.
"Everything that starts, has an end," the Associated Press quoted Lewis as saying. "For me, today, I told my team that this will be my last ride."
Lewis said that he decided to retire because he wanted to spend more time with his sons. His boys play for high school football team in Florida.
Lewis wants his son Ray Lewis III to play as a freshman for the University of Miami next year. He was a part of the same team before starting his NFL career with the Ravens in 1996.
"God is calling," Lewis said. "My children have made the ultimate sacrifice for their father for 17 years. I don't want to see them do that no more.
"I've done what I wanted to do in this business, and now it's my turn to give them something back.
"It's either (that or) hold onto the game and keep playing and let my kids miss out on times we can be spending together. Because I always promised my son if he got a full ride on scholarship Daddy is going to be there, I can't miss that."
Lewis commanded respect not just from his own teammates, but players from all over the league.
"He definitely inspired me," Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said. "Just the passion and how he is dedicated to his craft to be the best.
"You don't see too many guys who play like that. That's definitely what makes him the best linebacker to ever play the game."
During his 17-year long NFL career, he played only for one team -- the Ravens -- and was awarded the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2000 and 2003.
He was also voted Super Bowl MVP in the year 2000. He has 2050 tackles, 41.5 sacks and 31 interceptions in his illustrious NFL career as of now.
"I never played the game for individual stats," Lewis asserted. "I only played the game to make my team a better team."
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