Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens was in town this weekend to introduce Allied Athlete Group, an organization he, Michael Stone, Duane Starks, Reggie Howard and Sam Madison founded to assist athletes in managing their financial, social and personal success. I caught up with him for a few minutes to learn more about it.
C.C.: What made you guys get together and form this group?
Lewis: It was actually inspired by a couple of us. I was actually doing something else, but Duane and Mike Stone finally got together and they called me. It took us a while to get the concept of what we wanted to do because we’re not here to step on anybody’s toes; we’re just here to bring a greater enlightenment and enhancement to our lives while we’re playing in the National Football League. We have the ability to help so many people right now in this world.
Did you notice anything in particular that led you to believe athletes needed help managing their money?
Oh, absolutely. Being in this business 13 years, there are decision and things to where I wish I had certain counseling back then. We just want players like ourselves to take back their true identities so they understand as they’re going through life why this relationship is important or why they should go to this meeting and why they should look at their finances three times per day. When you come into this business, everybody says “I can take care of you, just worry about football,” but that ain’t life. Life is, you take care of you and let football take care of itself, ‘cause it’s just football.
Did you have a veteran player or anyone pull you aside when you were younger to try to influence you on how to spend your money or was it just something you had to learn the hard way?
Ultimately, it’s your money, but take the money aspect out of it. I’m just talking about your identity that you lose. That’s what happens through the process of being a rookie, signing with an agent and getting a financial advisor. You don’t really know who’s controlling your money or who’s controlling your image. This business is more about the concept of a true brotherhood and understanding what’s important about you and what’s important about your business.
One last question, what can we expect from the Ravens this upcoming season?
Optimism. Ha ha, another year.
You can read more from C.C. by visiting http://coco-vents.blogspot.com. C.C. can be reached at cfelicec@yahoo.com.
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