Legendary NFL player Ray Lewis received a posthumous degree from Virginia Union University on behalf of his son, Ray Lewis III, who passed away last year. Lewis III died on June 14, 2023, likely from a drug overdose. The football Hall-of-Fame linebacker put up a post of remembrance of his son on his Instagram page.
“My son, I’m so proud of you,” Lewis wrote. “Heaven called you, but thanks to Virginia Union we grabbed your degree for you today baby boy. We will see you again soon enough, to all the other families whose children didn’t make it to walk cross the stage. God Bless you!!! Celebrate every step our children take in life, even the steps we don’t like. Ray 3rd we made today a great day!!! Miss you my King!!!”
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Lewis III followed in his father’s footsteps as a football player in both high school and college. At Lake Mary Prep in Florida, Lewis III rushed for about 9,000 yards and 100 touchdowns as a top running back recruit in the country. He stayed in the Sunshine State for college, committing to the University of Miami out of high school. Despite the NFL lineage and immense production at Lake Mary Prep, Lewis III couldn’t consistently get on the field at Miami. After two seasons, he transferred to Coastal Carolina. He transferred again a year later after the football program suspended him in conjunction with a criminal sexual conduct case, according to HBCU Gameday.
After leaving Coastal Carolina, Lewis III ended up with Virginia Union for his final year of eligibility. He transitioned from running back to defensive back, racking up 37 total tackles and 12 pass breakups.
Following his father’s retirement, Lewis III sat down with Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel to talk about the football legacy set before him. While most people at the time may have been sad to see Ray Lewis step off the gridiron, Lewis III was happy to have him around more consistently.
“For me it means he’ll be around more to see my college games and be involved in my life even more and stuff like that,” he said. “Many fans love him and might be disappointed about him retiring or whatever else they might be saying and different things like that, but to me he’s just dad. I don’t really look at him as this big athlete or this huge sports figure. To me, he’s just me dad.”
“God is calling,” said Ray Lewis after his retirement announcement. “My children have made the ultimate sacrifice for their father for 17 years. I don’t want to see them do that no more. I’ve done what I wanted to do in this business, and now it’s my turn to give them something back. It’s either [that or[ hold onto the game and keep playing and let me kids miss out on times we can be spending together. Because I always promised my son if he got a full ride on scholarship Daddy is going to be there, I can’t miss that.”
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