HEADLINE NEWS - News

Wednesday - 12/26/2001

The NFL named Ravens' MLB Ray Lewis AFC Defensive Player of the Week today for his outstanding play in the Ravens 16-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. Lewis stopped two Cincinnati redzone possessions with
interceptions, recorded 12 tackles (one for loss) and had three passes defensed. The Ravens recorded their first shutout of the season, and sixth in their last 30 regular season games.

For Lewis, he tied a team record he already shared with his two interceptions, but he also totaled the second-most interception return yardage in a game in team history. His 94 yards in returns are second only to Chris McAlister's 98-yard interception return vs. the NY Jets on 12/24/00.

In the second quarter, Ray picked off a Jon Kitna pass that was batted at the line of scrimmage and into his hands at the Ravens' 18-yard line. Lewis returned the ball 30 yards to set up a Matt Stover 29-yard field goal with four seconds left in the half for a 13-0 Baltimore lead. In the fourth quarter, Ray rambled 64 yards after a Kitna pass was deflected by Jamie Sharper and into Ray's arms at the one-yard line. This is the third player of the week award for Lewis, last year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP. His first was in his first NFL game in 1996, and his second was in 1997.

Lewis is the fourth Raven to win Player of the Week honors in 2001. Adalius Thomas was the last award winner for his defensive play in week 12. Corey Harris was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for week three. Matt
Stover won AFC Special Teams' Player of the Week for his week eight heroics at Pittsburgh. In 2000, five Ravens won Player of the Week honors.