Ray Lewis III, a son of Ravens legend Ray Lewis, dies; ‘be our guardian,’ brother posts after losing sibling

Ray Anthony Lewis III, a son of Ravens legend Ray Lewis, died Thursday, one of his brothers said on social media. He was 28.

Rahsaan Lewis said on Instagram that he prayed his older brother was “at peace now,” and that he “won’t ever have the words” to describe the loss of his sibling.

“Be our guardian,” he wrote. “I promise I’ll make you smile and be proud.”

Along with his younger brother, Lewis III followed in the footsteps of his father, who is credited with forever changing the position of NFL middle linebacker throughout his 17-year career with the Ravens that ended with his retirement from football in 2013.

Lewis III attended Lake Mary Prep in Florida, rushing for 5,283 yards and 53 touchdowns in three seasons, according to MaxPreps, and telling The Baltimore Sun in 2010 that he had a dream of playing in the NFL, as well as aspirations of “making a difference in people’s lives outside the football field.”

He never played a down during his freshman year at the University of Miami, where his father was a consensus All-American before being drafted in the first round by the Ravens ahead of their inaugural season in 1996.

Lewis III transferred to Coastal Carolina University in 2015, playing as a cornerback, but faced legal challenges after being accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman while knowing she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to Conway City Police. The charges against Lewis III, who was 20 at the time, were later dismissed.

He transferred again to Virginia Union University. His coach at VUU, Mark James, told The Sun on Thursday night: “Ray was a tremendous young man who played with the spirit of a lion. He was a great asset to the Virginia Union family. He will always be a Panther. May God bless his family.”

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