Ray Lewis Essay

Quayshawn Nealy
Date: 10/30/12
Critical Paper
Pub

The model the way theory as described by the Kouzes and Posner’s five practices of Exemplary Leadership is a perfect example of how Ray Lewis uses his celebrity in a positive way to inspire and help others. Ray Lewis has been an intimidating force to be reckoned with in the National Football League since he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 1996 (www.historyking.com). Lewis has been deemed as one of the best and most dominant linebackers of all time (www.historyking.com), and his records throughout the years justify the previous statement. “Athletes have a unique and powerful position to influence people,” said Mori Taheripour, a senior advisor for sports development, during a panel on Sports & Social Impact at the 2011 Ivy Sports Symposium at Wharton in November (kwhs.wharton.upenn.edu). With the increasing number of fans that tune in to watch NFL games every week, it is no surprise that athletes like Lewis are looked to in a special way by those that admire them, and the fact that most Lewis and other friends in the league choose to do positive things with their fame means a lot to those they help. Ray Lewis born in Bartow, Florida and raised up in Lakeland, Florida was an all-time wrestler and football star for Kathleen High School. I grew up hearing about him all the time considering he went to my Rivalry high school and he’s from my hometown.

Ray Lewis is not only a leader on the field he is a Leader off it as well. Some Leadership skills you can take from Ray Lewis are Leaders have to give 100+ percent and learn how to control their emotions. We see leaders who want — or even demand — 100 percent effort from their teams, but don’t put forth the effort themselves. They forget that their team is watching them. If they want all-out effort from the team, the leader must set the example. It is not