PLOT UPDATE
Ray Lewis is a former Superbowl MVP and is known for his motivation from his words and on the field. Ray Lewis grew up as a child with two twin sisters and a younger brother so he was the oldest of all his siblings. Ray Lewis was very curious about his name because he was the only one besides his father named Ray Lewis. His father wasn’t in his life so it was troubling to grow up and be tough. Ray’s mother was the one that told ray to teach himself and that he didn’t need anyone in his life to be a tough guy. Another problem was that ray’s grandmother didn’t want ray to be born because she didn’t want her mother having kids. His mother also taught most of the things he knows today. Things like how to pray and basically how to stay strong in certain situations. Ray didn’t want to be in his father’s shadow, he wanted to be something else, something better. So he wrestled and played football. He went to the University Of Miami. When Ray Lewis got older, he vowed to keep his mother safe because she was the only one to actually care for him and his siblings. Ray Lewis basically became a shell of himself. He started off as a weak little boy who became a strong grown man. He would keep himself in shape by picturing playing cards as a set of push-ups. Ray also had an abusive step father but would never hit him because his step dad saw how ray was growing as a a man. It was one time when his step father hit ray’s mother and his mother got right back up with the look on her face like she’s had enough. This showed ray how tough his mother was and his step father left them without saying a word. Ray noticed that if his mother could show toughness and resiliency, he could achieve that too. When ray’s real father heard what an impact he was making in highschool football and wrestling, his father changed his name to his- Elbert Ray Jackson Jr. without saying anything to ray or his mother about it. The only way he found was because the papers came into the mail about his name being changed. Ray was furious about this because this was the man that left him and his siblings and just changed his name without saying a word about it.
Character Analysis
This book is an autobiography so the main character or the one telling the story is Ray Lewis. Some other characters are like Ray Lewis’ family or teammates from college and the pros. Some of ray’s family members are his mother, Sunseria McKinley. All of his sister’s names were Laquesha Jenkins, Lakeisha Jenkins, and Kadaja Holloway. His younger brother’s name is Keon Lattimore. These are all the siblings ray lewis had to grow up with and was difficult for his mother. But sunseria told and taught her children to be strong, independent people. Some of ray’s teammates in the pros were running back, Ray Rice. They didn’t have a good bond at first, but when they found out they had the same first name, they bonded quickly. Other teammates are strong safety, Ed Reed , Outside Linebacker, Terrel Suggs, and Quaterback, Joe Flacco. These were the people that ray lewis had to bond with if they ever wanted to win a championship in Baltimore together. It was hard for ray at first because he didn’t know anyone but soon after, he was well known in the NFL and even became a captain for his team. Ray Lewis impacted the game a lot of ways but people only know him because of the way he hits on the field. Ray lewis also got close to the staff members. Some being head coach, John Harbaugh. Game six of the 2012 NFL season was upon us and it was the Baltimore Ravens vs the New England Patriots. This was a big game for ray because one, this is where his career ended and two, how he showed his children to stay strong. Not a lot of time left on the play clock and the patriots are driving down the field. Ray Lewis is the leader of the defense but can’t do much because his right arm was severely damaged but he didn’t notice until he came to the sideline. His medical trainer told him that his arm was basically hanging but ray didn’t want to show his teammates that he was weak so he tried to hide it. The medical trainer also told ray that the injury he had, it was impossible to continue playing professional football but ray didn’t care and played anyway. This was Ray Lewis showing his strength and resiliency. He had to show his son, Ray Lewis Jr that when your against all odds, stay strong.
My Personal Reaction
My reaction to this book is that you can do anything even if your back is against the wall. Also to stay strong at all odds and never show your enemies weakness. Ray Lewis did this time and time again and even without being in the league, he still impacts the NFL. Most players in the pros look up to him today and you can see that by the way they play. I personally like Ray Lewis so this book meant a lot to me when I first starting reading it. It taught me a bunch of life lessons and how to always take care of your family no matter how old you are. Ray Lewis impacted a lot of lives especially his own father who left him at a young age. His father came to his last NFL game and was very impressed about the man he birthed. Ray Lewis didn’t really want to see his father but dealt with the situation professionally in front of his son. Ray Lewis is an independant man who has met a lot of obstacles in his life but still overcame those obstacles and that shows you that any man can overcome any obstacle.
mauriceoliver 