07/23/2018: Our day with Ray

A woman in her late-50s sat quietly in the lobby of The Ledger on a Monday morning in late July. About 15 minutes after she arrived, a muscular, middle-aged man accompanied by a boy who looked to be in his teens came walking through the lobby door.

Football fans would immediately recognize this man as Ray Lewis, the Kathleen High School graduate and former Miami Hurricanes and Baltimore Ravens star who is the first Polk County native to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The woman immediately went up to Lewis and gave him a big hug, and why not? Sunseria “Buffy” Jenkins was happy to see her son and grandson, Ralin Lewis.

Lewis was back home, spending the day with Ledger reporters and photographers, reminiscing about growing up in Lakeland and speaking candidly about his life and career. There was no entourage, just Lewis, his mother and his youngest son.

The day began with Lewis being interviewed for more than 2½ hours, well over 30 minutes more than originally scheduled, but he appeared to be enjoying himself as he looked backed on experiences both good and bad.

You heard two voices that day. There was the casual, down-to-earth Lewis, who laughed when asked about the street football games of his youth or dancing with the Hardy Boys during high school.

Then there was the more somber, serious side of Lewis, who spoke of his relationship with his mother, of how coaches impacted his life, lessons learned that he has tried to pass on to his children, and how faith got him through the most trying experience of his life.

Following the interview, part of which will be published online as a podcast series, Lewis posed for photos that are featured in this special commemorative section in The Ledger photo studio.

After lunch at Tiger Town, where his high school football coach Ernest Joe joined the party, and a tour of the new 34 Club at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, it was off to Kathleen High School. There, Lewis had another reunion, this time with Steve Poole, his high school wrestling coach. Lewis wasn’t just a football star in high school, he also was a state champion wrestler.

Lewis posed in front of the giant picture of him in his wrestling gear that hangs on the wall inside the gymnasium. He got hugs from Joe’s wife, Cheryl, who used to cook chili for the football players when he was in high school. Then it was time for one more trip outside to the Red Devils' stadium, the site of his high school football exploits.

But for their smartphones, two Kathleen students might have had their day made by meeting Lewis. As Lewis and company made their way from the gym to the football field, the two boys were leaving the campus and walked perhaps just 40 or 50 feet away. However, they never looked up from their phones to notice the famous Kathleen alumnus in their midst. Guess we can blame Steve Jobs for that.

On the way, Lewis pointed out the spot of the first autograph he signed, which occurred following the Red Devils’ victory over rival Lakeland his senior year. On the field, Lewis recalled plays he ran while playing running back or returning kicks and pointed to where college coaches from Miami were sitting while scouting him in his final high school game against Fort Myers.

Lewis was gracious throughout the day and seemed to enjoy his stroll down memory lane, which is documented in this section.

We'd like to thank him for his time that day. And the memories.