Lewis: Ravens and Steelers have ultimate respect for one another

[mesaSteeler]

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View From The Press Box



Lewis: Ravens and Steelers have ultimate respect for one another
September 29th, 2010

Can two teams strongly dislike each other yet also respect one another?

Apparently so.

Ravens Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis talked extensively about the respect factor today during a conference call with Pittsburgh reporters.

And the 15th-year veteran revealed that he has offered Ben Roethlisberger advice and support during the Steelers quarterback’s ordeal.

Lewis, in fact, said he and Roethlisberger, whose four-game suspension ends after Sunday, exchanged text messages yesterday.

“We always (text) each other,” said Lewis, who had to rehabilitate his image after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice in connection with a murder that took place in 2000. “Simple stuff. He wishes he was out there.”

Lewis and Roethlisberger texting each other?

That doesn’t quite jibe with the image of two hard-nosed teams trying to knock each other out -- and sometimes succeeding.

But Lewis said it speaks to the bond NFL players have.

And to the admiration teams that are mirror images have for one another.

“It’s just a pure level of respect and that’s a respect for Hines (Ward), the (LaMarr) Woodleys, the (James) Harrisons,” Lewis said. “We see ourselves meeting at the Pro Bowl and things and that’s the first thing we talk about, the rivalry. There’s nothing like it.”

And, Lewis added, “The game always takes care of itself on the field but off the field if we don’t look out for each other nobody else will.”

As for the advice he has for Roethlisberger, Lewis said, “If you’re trying to please the world you’re going to confuse yourself. All he can do is move on and whatever he put behind him as a man, leave it there. Don’t let nobody pull you back into it. Don’t let nobody make you keep talking about it. Once it’s done, it’s done.”

[Fire Arians]

to quote the movie troy "even enemies can have respect"