Before Super Bowl 58 brings out a lineup of legends to Las Vegas, the Pro Bowl is expected to have its own set of NFL star power.
One comes in the form of a multi-time participant of the game, and one who snatched two Super Bowl championships: Ray Lewis.
What Is Ray Lewis’ Involvement in the 2024 Pro Bowl?
Lewis will have a coaching role for the Pro Bowl games in Orlando, Florida — which is also the legendary Ravens linebacker’s home state.
And he’ll be calling plays on defense.
Lewis will serve as the celebrity defensive coordinator for the AFC team, meaning he gets to join the AFC coach Peyton Manning for the game.
Lewis’ unit, for one day only, will be looking to slow down an NFC attack called by Super Bowl winner Eli Manning.
Lewis spoke to the Orlando Sentinel about his opportunity to return to the annual all-star game for NFL players while also giving back to kids at the Rock Lake Neighborhood Center.
“It’s actually incredible. I’m 30 minutes away from my hometown,” Lewis told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday. “So this grass is my grass. To come back and give the kids just a little bit of hope, that little bit of vision … It’s everything that I’ve always aspired to do in all of my work that I do now.”
However, he also joked about what he would’ve done if he were to play in this new non-contact format the Pro Bowl has rolled out.
“For me? I ain’t pullin’ no flags. Even in a flag game, I’m still tackling,” Lewis joked.
What Were Lewis’ Pro Bowl Years?
Lewis became one of the most decorated NFL defenders of all time.
Along with winning two Lombardi trophies in the 2000 and 2012 seasons with the Ravens, Lewis earned an astonishing 12 trips to the Pro Bowl. What were his Pro Bowl seasons, and what kind of production led to his appearances?
- 1997: Lewis’ first Pro Bowl appearance. Led the NFL in tackles with 184 and 156 solo.
- 1998: He returned after delivering 120 tackles and 101 solo stops.
- 1999: Not only did Lewis make his third appearance, but he earned his first All-Pro nod. Led the league with 165 total tackles and 130 solo stops.
- 2000: Lewis’s Super Bowl seasons witnessed 137 tackles with 108 solo — all while leading a historic Ravens defense that allowed the fewest points ever at 165.
- 2001: He topped the league in tackles for the third time in his career, this time with 162 and 114.
- 2003: Following missing the 2002 season with a shoulder injury after five starts, Lewis returned to Pro Bowl and All-Pro form by hitting 163 tackles — the fourth time he passed the 160 mark. He also picked off a career-high six passes.
- 2004: Lewis followed with 147 tackles with 101 solo stops.
- 2007: He ended a personal skid of missing the next three Pro Bowls by delivering 121 tackles and 83 solo tackles.
- 2008: In his move to left inside linebacker, Lewis stuffed 118 total tackles.
- 2009: Lewis switched over to the right and improved his tackle total to 134. The ’09 season was also his last All-Pro nod.
- 2010: This campaign would be the last time Lewis surpassed the triple-digit tackle mark, collecting 139 total stops.
- 2011: Despite only getting 95 total tackles (his fewest season total in 12 or more games played), Lewis was voted to his final Pro Bowl.
MORE: When Is the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Flag Football Game?
While Tom Brady holds the title for most Pro Bowl nods ever at 15, Lewis holds the NFL record for most appearances by a linebacker with 12.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
