Ray Lewis III, the son of the late Ray Lewis of the NFL, passed away at the age of 28. Rashaan Lewis III, Lewis III’s younger brother, broke the devastating news on Thursday.
“Really can’t believe I’m even typing this but RIP big brother,” Rashaan wrote in an Instagram story.
“A true angel. I pray your at peace now because ik [I know] how much you was really hurtin.”
“I don’t and won’t ever have the words man cuz this pain right here …. I love you I love you I love you.”
“Your niece gone miss you but she will hear about u over and over just watch over us all big bruh be our guardian I promise I’ll make you smile and proud.”
The cause of death wasn’t known right away. At Lake Mary Prep in Florida, Lewis III was a standout running back. During his senior year, he carried the ball 190 times for 1,898 yards and 20 touchdowns. Before transferring to Coastal Carolina and then Virginia Union, Lewis III began his collegiate career at Miami (Fla.), the school where his father had graduated.
“Great young man and a better teammate. The entire Virginia Union University community is praying for the family as they deal with the loss of Ray,” Virginia Union’s head coach Diego Ryland told TMZ.
“Ray was a tremendous young man who played with the spirit of a lion. He was a great asset to the Virginia Union family,” Nark James, Lewis’ coach at Virginia Union told the Baltimore Sun.
“He will always be a Panther. God bless his family.”
Lewis III appeared in seven games with the Champions Indoor Football League’s Wyoming Mustangs in the 2021-22 season.
His father Raymond Anthony Lewis Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a middle linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens for his entire 17-year career in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he earned All-America honours.
When Lewis retired after the 2012 season, he was the final active member of the Ravens’ initial team. Lewis was selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. Lewis emerged as a defensive team captain almost away, and his first of 14 times leading the Ravens in tackles came as a rookie.
