Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis declared his innocence in a jail interview yesterday and said he knew, as his limousine sped from the scene of a double murder in Atlanta, that he would be the central figure in the case because of his status as an NFL player. Lewis, a Baltimore Ravens linebacker, would not discuss the specifics of the case, but he said he was innocent and had been falsely accused. The interview with WNUV-TV of Baltimore was not taped. Instead, the reporter related Lewis' comments.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - You again! Ray vs. Tom. Tom vs. Ray. Oh yeah, the Ravens and Patriots, along for the ride. Ray Lewis' last ride, one Tom Brady hopes to cut short on Sunday in the AFC championship game. A year after a brutal last-minute loss in Foxborough, Baltimore is back, looking for a reversal of fortune and a spot in the Super Bowl for the first time since winning it in 2001. If the Ravens fall again, Lewis' superb 17-year career as the NFL's best linebacker of his era will end as he retires.

Ray Lewis' appeal of a $250,000 fine has been denied by NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. NFL spokesman Dan Masonson confirmed yesterday that Tagliabue had dismissed the Baltimore Ravens linebacker's appeal of the fine imposed on him a year ago after he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in a case in which he had first been charged with murder. The fine was the largest not involving a suspension ever levied by the NFL. Lewis has paid half of it while awaiting a ruling on his appeal.

Ray Lewis, you've just won the Super Bowl. What's next? "I ain't going to no Disney World," Lewis, the Baltimore Ravens' star linebacker, said in the Super Bowl day-after news conference yesterday. He said he would be joining his teammates in Baltimore today for the championship parade. Lewis, the Super Bowl MVP who was linked to a double-killing last year, was shut out of the traditional endorsements after his team beat the New York Giants on Sunday. Instead, it was Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer who shouted, "I'm going to Disney World!"

NEW ORLEANS - Of all the topics Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis might have been prepared to talk about at Super Bowl media day, deer-antler spray probably was not among them. He declined to directly address a Sports Illustrated report that he sought help from a company that makes the unorthodox product to speed up his recovery from a torn right triceps. Lewis was the NFL's leading tackler in the playoffs after missing 10 regular-season games with the injury. The company says its deer-antler substance contains a byproduct of human growth hormone.

Ray Lewis spent 17 seasons instilling fear in his opponents while serving as an inspirational leader for the Baltimore Ravens. Now he's poised and eager to become a full-time father. Lewis announced Wednesday he will end his brilliant NFL career after the Ravens complete their 2013 playoff run. Lewis has been sidelined since Oct. 14 with a torn right triceps. The 13-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker intends to return Sunday to face the Indianapolis Colts in what will almost certainly be his final home game.

RAVENS LINEBACKER Ray Lewis was probably prepared to talk about of lot of things at Tuesday's Super Bowl Media Day. But, deer-antler spray probably wasn't one of them. Lewis was asked about a Sports Illustrated report that claimed a company supplied him with deer-antler velvet extract, which contains IGF-1, a performance-enhancing substance banned by the NFL. Mitch Ross, owner of Sports with Alternative to Steroids (SWATS), told SI that Lewis wanted the product to help speed his recovery from a torn right triceps he suffered in October.

NEW ORLEANS - Smiling, even laughing, at questions about a report linking him to a company that purports to make performance-enhancers, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said Wednesday he "never, ever took" the stuff. Lewis described himself as "agitated," not angry, that the Sports Illustrated story has become part of the Super Bowl-week prelude to Baltimore's game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The magazine said Lewis sought help from a company that says its deer-antler spray and pills contain a banned product connected to human growth hormone.

It was a serious question, of course. Ray Lewis wanted to know if he should spray the deer antler juice directly on his elbow every two hours in order to help heal his torn triceps muscle. No, no, no, the former male stripper and current dispenser of deer juice told him. You spray it under your tongue. Oh, sure. That makes sense. Lewis, who, if there is a merciful deity, will retire and disappear from view within days, says none of this happened back in October. He didn't use hologram stickers and negatively charged water and definitely not the deer antler extract that contains a growth substance banned by the NFL, but which, according to medical experts, might not even work on humans and certainly not by putting it under one's tongue.

BALTIMORE - There's no telling how effective Ray Lewis will be Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts after missing 12 weeks with a torn right triceps. Fortunately, for the Ravens, he's already provided an emotional lift. With his announcement that he will step into retirement after Baltimore completes its 2013 playoff run, Lewis gave the slumping Ravens a boost heading into their wild-card game. "Just having him back on the field is an inspiration," Baltimore defensive coordinator Dean Pees said.

WES WELKER sure knows how to pick his quarterbacks. The star receiver, Tom Brady's favorite target, is leaving New England and heading to Denver, where he'll join Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Also getting new deals were Reggie Bush in Detroit, Dashon Goldson in Tampa Bay, and even Ray Lewis - with ESPN. Day 2 of the NFL's free-agency frenzy was highlighted by Welker grabbing a 2-year deal with the Broncos, who had the AFC's best regular-season record last year. He gives Manning one of the steadiest targets the four-time league MVP ever has had. Broncos boss John Elway said on Twitter: "Excited to have Wes join the Broncos.

BALTIMORE - A Ravens broadcaster with the unfortunate name of Gerry Sandusky handed Joe Flacco a microphone during the team's Super Bowl celebration at M&T Bank Stadium early Tuesday afternoon. The 75,000 fans who had waited patiently and noisily for hours to greet him and the new NFL champions screamed madly at the sight of the lanky quarterback, much as a few hundred thousand others had done during the brief but humanity-clogged parade that led him there. Flacco, smiling and waving but looking slightly uncomfortable, peered quickly out at a crowd that in anticipation of his response swayed like a purple sea all around the on-field stage.

NEW ORLEANS - Twelve years ago, the Baltimore Ravens won a Super Bowl with a below-average, along-for-the-ride offense and one of the most dominating defenses in NFL history. A defense that held 11 of 16 regular-season opponents to 10 points or less. A defense that forced 49 takeaways. A defense that held four playoff opponents to a grand total of 23 points. A defense that allowed just 11 first downs and 152 net yards and forced five turnovers in a 34-7 win over the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.

It was a serious question, of course. Ray Lewis wanted to know if he should spray the deer antler juice directly on his elbow every two hours in order to help heal his torn triceps muscle. No, no, no, the former male stripper and current dispenser of deer juice told him. You spray it under your tongue. Oh, sure. That makes sense. Lewis, who, if there is a merciful deity, will retire and disappear from view within days, says none of this happened back in October. He didn't use hologram stickers and negatively charged water and definitely not the deer antler extract that contains a growth substance banned by the NFL, but which, according to medical experts, might not even work on humans and certainly not by putting it under one's tongue.

NEW ORLEANS - Smiling, even laughing, at questions about a report linking him to a company that purports to make performance-enhancers, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said Wednesday he "never, ever took" the stuff. Lewis described himself as "agitated," not angry, that the Sports Illustrated story has become part of the Super Bowl-week prelude to Baltimore's game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The magazine said Lewis sought help from a company that says its deer-antler spray and pills contain a banned product connected to human growth hormone.

NEW ORLEANS - Of all the topics Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis might have been prepared to talk about at Super Bowl media day, deer-antler spray probably was not among them. He declined to directly address a Sports Illustrated report that he sought help from a company that makes the unorthodox product to speed up his recovery from a torn right triceps. Lewis was the NFL's leading tackler in the playoffs after missing 10 regular-season games with the injury. The company says its deer-antler substance contains a byproduct of human growth hormone.

RAVENS LINEBACKER Ray Lewis was probably prepared to talk about of lot of things at Tuesday's Super Bowl Media Day. But, deer-antler spray probably wasn't one of them. Lewis was asked about a Sports Illustrated report that claimed a company supplied him with deer-antler velvet extract, which contains IGF-1, a performance-enhancing substance banned by the NFL. Mitch Ross, owner of Sports with Alternative to Steroids (SWATS), told SI that Lewis wanted the product to help speed his recovery from a torn right triceps he suffered in October.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Oh, brother! John Harbaugh and his Baltimore Ravens set up a family reunion at the Super Bowl, shutting down the New England Patriots, 28-13, Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. The Ravens reached their first Super Bowl in 12 years, thanks to three touchdown passes from Joe Flacco and a defense led by Ray Lewis that made Tom Brady look downright ordinary. Next up for Harbaugh and the Ravens is baby brother Jim and the San Francisco 49ers, who beat Atlanta, 28-24, earlier in the day for the NFC title.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - You again! Ray vs. Tom. Tom vs. Ray. Oh yeah, the Ravens and Patriots, along for the ride. Ray Lewis' last ride, one Tom Brady hopes to cut short on Sunday in the AFC championship game. A year after a brutal last-minute loss in Foxborough, Baltimore is back, looking for a reversal of fortune and a spot in the Super Bowl for the first time since winning it in 2001. If the Ravens fall again, Lewis' superb 17-year career as the NFL's best linebacker of his era will end as he retires.

BALTIMORE - Shortly after setting the Baltimore Ravens' record for postseason receiving yards in a game Sunday, Anquan Boldin stepped to the podium across the hall from the locker room with a towel draped around his neck and a stern expression. The discussion had shifted from the 24-9 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the AFC playoffs to Saturday's showdown against the Denver Broncos, and Boldin dispensed with the pleasantries often associated with evaluating an opponent.