JACKSON Tenn (June 14, 2015) – From the beginning of the evening Ray Lewis was clear that he was sharing the role of faith, prayer, and God in his life.
Being right with God and being the best man he could be, nothing else mattered Lewis told the gathered Saturday night at the Oman Arena for Lane’s “Dinner with the Pros” banquet.
Lewis said seeing his mother struggle and wanting to take care of her drove his desire to succeed.
Derrick Burroughs, the Lane College athletic director and head football coach, said he couldn’t believe Lane College was able to get Ray Lewis to come to Jackson. “It’s just a blessing that this guy would come to Jackson, Tennessee to help us out and have no ties to Lane College whatsoever,” Burroughs told the crowd.
Lewis took questions from the audience. A young boy asked him why it was important to pray for others.
Lewis said that a person’s greatest legacy is not about the money, jewelry, or the other material possessions you leave behind. “It’ll be how many people you helped.” said Lewis
Tom Britt, WBBJ, was the emcee. Several local dignitaries spoke briefly at the introduction of the event including: Jackson mayor Jerry Gist, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference commissioner Greg Moore and Lane College chaplain Moses Goldman.
At the end of the evening, Lewis was presented with the first Fred Lane Lifetime Achievement Ward. Fred Lane, Sr. and his wife were on hand for the presentation.
Other pro athletes were in attendance, including Olympic medalist Rochelle Stevens, Michael Jasper (Bethel, Miami Dolphins), former Philadelphia Eagle Nick Stamper, Andre Turner (University of Memphis) , and others from the NFL and NBA.
