Ray Lewis Hailed As Champion Of Mentoring: A Legacy Beyond The Field

A Heartfelt Honor for Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis is no stranger to accolades, but the Champion of Mentoring Award he recently received holds a special place in his heart. At the 35th Anniversary Gala for MENTOR, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing mentors for kids across America, Lewis was honored with an award he describes as "one of the most rewarding things that I probably received." The Hall of Fame linebacker was genuinely surprised and touched when he got the call about this recognition.

"I think just that whole room, that whole aura around what does it mean to be recognized as a champion in the mentoring space, is what I live to do," Lewis expressed. "So it was one of the greatest honors, I think, I've received in a very, very long time."

Sharing the Stage with Legends

During the event, Ray shared the spotlight with Jeannine Russell, who accepted the Champion of Mentoring Award on behalf of her late husband, Bill Russell. For Lewis, this award carried even more weight following the tragic passing of his son, Ray Lewis III, in 2023. "I've been speaking openly about my son's passing for the last two years, since he's been gone," Lewis shared. "This was just another follow-up, and a way that I actually deal with it. Losing a son, losing a child, you will never see life the same ever again."

The Future of Mentorship: Ray's Vision

But the journey doesn't end here for Ray. His plans with his foundation, Ray Of Hope, are just getting started. He's launching the Locker Room Initiative, aiming to create "locker rooms" of mentors across the nation. "We have to create those locker rooms, those ambassadors that you can call right later on down the road," Lewis said, hinting at a future app designed to connect these influential figures.

Lewis envisions a mentorship network that taps into "influential capital," leveraging the power of iconic figures to inspire and guide. "I can't go and have the same impact in Pittsburgh, but then [Ben] Roethlisberger, Jerome Bettis can, right? People like that," he explained. It's clear that the NFL legend is determined to use his platform for lasting good, with no plans of slowing down.