Ray Lewis still knows how to bring down the M&T Bank Stadium house.
Flanked by Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Ozzie Newsome at a halftime ceremony held in his honor, Lewis received a thunderous "thank you" of an ovation from the home crowed after his name was unveiled as the newest member of the Ravens Ring of Honor.
Newsome handed Lewis a crystal trophy commemorating the event along with a painted portrait of Lewis doing his signature pre-game "Squirrel Dance."
"Ray, you were a great, great player (and) a great, great person. And you were our leader for 17 years," said Newsome.
Lewis, now an ESPN NFL analyst, returned the crowd's electric reception.
"Baltimore, Baltimore. ... I could never thank every person that's in these stands right now.
"This city is what love is all about. This stadium for 17 ye,ars, I gave everything I had. I left it all on the field. ... Thank you, thank you to my family. There's no me without my family.
"Thank you, Baltimore, I love you."
It almost seemed as if Lewis' presence inspired the Ravens defense. His replacement, veteran Daryl Smith, returned a second-quarter interception of Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub 37 yards for his first career pick six."