NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis paid a touching tribute to his son, Ray Lewis III, at his funeral this weekend.
Lewis III, a former college football player, died on June 14 of an accidental drug overdose.
Less than two weeks after the 28-year-old’s death, his father delivered an emotional eulogy to mourners who gathered Saturday at Florida’s Calvary Orlando Church.
“We’ll see you again,” the Baltimore Ravens legend said via The New York Post. ’28 years old, looking at my firstborn child… the referees thought I was crazy for running up and down the sidelines.
“Thank you to everyone who is here in this room today for my son, from the deepest corners of my family’s heart.
“
Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (left) paid tribute to his son Ray Lewis III (right) at his funeral over the weekend
Lewis III’s funeral took place Saturday at Calvary Orlando Church in Florida
Lewis III was the son of linebacker Lewis who played his entire 17-year career for the Ravens
“My son used to say to me, ‘Pops, let’s have a good day.’ And today, as I finally see my son’s physical body, you’ll have a good day today,” Lewis added, clasping his hands together and gesturing to the sky.
Lewis III was found unconscious at about 5 p.m. on June 14 at a home in Casselberry, 13 miles north of downtown Orlando.
The college athlete was lying naked in a room between a bed and a wall when police and paramedics arrived. He wasn’t breathing.
One friend performed CPR, while another friend screamed for Narcan – the chemical used to reverse overdoses.
In the room, according to TMZ, was a blue pill found near Lewis’s body, unofficially identified as Alprazolam – a sedative used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. They also found a used needle and a small plastic bag in an empty beer can.
Casselberry police captain Michael Schaefer said in a statement: “One of our officers used his spent narcan on Lewis, but there was no change in his condition.”
The Seminole County Fire Department transported Lewis from the South Sunset Drive estate to the Advent Health Hospital in Altamonte Springs, where he was pronounced dead.
Ray Lewis Snr played his entire 17-year career for the Ravens and is widely regarded as the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history.
Former NFL player Ray Lewis, right, and his son Ray Lewis III watch the 2013 Miami Heat game
Ray Lewis Jr, 28, was found dead on June 14 at a home near Orlando, Florida
Lewis III played for the Miami Hurricanes, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and Virginia Union Panthers while in college
Like his son, he attended the University of Miami and played college football for the Miami Hurricanes.
Lewis Jr played for the Miami Hurricanes, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and Virginia Union Panthers during his college career.
However, he failed as a college football superstar and had recently been working on his music career.
Lewis III’s younger brother, Rahsaan, alluded to his brother’s mental health issues on social media.
“I honestly can’t believe I’m typing this but RIP big brother,” he wrote.
‘A real angel. I pray you are at peace now because I know how much pain you have truly been in. I have and never will have the words man, because this pain here… I love you, I love you, I love you.
“Your niece is going to miss you, but she’s going to hear about you over and over, just watch over all of us, big bruh, be our guardian.” I promise to make you smile and proud.”
Virginia Union assistant head coach Diego Ryland told TMZ, “Great young man and a better teammate.
Former college football player Lewis III was found unconscious at a home in Casselberry, 13 miles north of downtown Orlando, at about 5 p.m. on June 14
Tributes poured in for the former college football player, who had left to pursue a music career
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis. He is considered the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history
“The entire Virginia Union University community is praying for the family as they deal with the loss of Ray.”
Mark James, Lewis’ coach at Virginia Union, wrote, “Young man, it was a pleasure to bring you to Virginia Union.
“Ray Ray May God bless your family. Wonderful young man.’
Lewis III attended Lake Mary High School in Florida where he played on their track and football teams.
During his high school career, he rushed for 1,898 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. In his senior season, he rushed for 676 yards and scored four touchdowns.
He then moved to the University of Miami in 2013 where he joined the Miami Hurricanes football team as a running back.
After failing to make a splash on the Miami soccer team, he transferred to Coastal Carolina University in 2015.
In January 2016, he was arrested at the University of South Carolina on charges of sexual assault.
He was indicted by a South Carolina grand jury on charges of third-degree criminal assault and kicked off the college football team.
But months later, the claims were dropped after a lengthy investigation by South Carolina law enforcement.
Lewis III attended Lake Mary High School in Florida where he played on their track and football teams
Lewis III had recently been working on his music career after trying to follow in his NFL father’s footsteps and play college football
“We felt very strongly from the beginning that this young man was not guilty of anything,” his lawyer, Tony Brittain, said at the time.
“I’m just relieved that the prosecutors investigated so thoroughly and reached a similar conclusion that this case should not go forward.”
Court records of the investigation showed numerous discrepancies in the charges.
In 2021, Lewis III signed with the Wyoming Mustangs of the Champions Indoor Football League.