There are very few people in the world who can truly understand what it’s like to be Michael Phelps — one of the world’s most famous athletes and, at times, a man who has endured the consequences of his private struggles coming under the public microscope.
Ray Lewis understands better than most.
Lewis is widely considered to be one of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time. But at the height of his on-the-field powers, he stood trial on murder charges and ultimately pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice.
Phelps is widely considered to be the greatest Olympian of all time. But in the wake of unprecedented in-the-pool success, Phelps quietly struggled with depression. He was arrested in 2014 for driving under the influence of alcohol and suspended from all swimming competitions for six months.
In addition to their personal struggles, Lewis and Phelps also share a bond from both having spent most of their adult lives in Maryland — Lewis as a Super Bowl-winning member of the Baltimore Ravens, Phelps as the state’s favorite son.
As a result, Lewis was uniquely positioned to influence Phelps’ life when it was lacking direction.
On Facebook Live this past Saturday, before his final race in Rio, Phelps described his relationship with Lewis.
“Ray is like a brother to me,” he said. “Ray has become a brother from another mother for me… He had some very inspirational messages for me this week that have helped me.”
Lewis has influenced Phelps’ spiritual life, encouraging him to read “The Purpose Driven Life” by Pastor Rick Warren, and he’s also indoctrinated him into something called the “Lion Order.”
Monday Morning Quarterback explains:
In the Lion Order—a culture Lewis said he established with former University of Miami teammate Rohan Marley, son of Bob Marley—close friends share everything meaningful while pushing each other to the limit personally and professionally. Their inspiration is how a pride of lions lives and works together. Lewis preached that to Phelps over the past few years.
And as Phelps prepared to swim the final race of his incredible career, Lewis preached the Lion Order code to him from a barbecue joint in Alabama.
“Keep going!” Lewis yelled at the phone, with Phelps listening intently on the other end of the line. “Finish it!”
Hours later Phelps and his teammates brought home the gold in the 4×100 meter relay, capping off a career that may never be equalled: 28 total Olympic medals, 23 of them gold.
“It was the cherry on top of the cake that I wanted,” Phelps said afterward. “I’ve been able to do everything I ever put my mind to [doing] in the sport. I’ve had 24 years in this sport and I’m happy with how things finished. When I came back after 2012 I didn’t want to have ‘what ifs’ 20 years later. Being able to close the door on this sport how I wanted to — that’s why I’m happy now.”
Lewis sat back and watched it all unfold from Alabama, where his life was entering a new phase, just as Phelps’s was about to.
Lewis was in the Yellowhammer State dropping his daughter off at college. Phelps, with a new baby boy and a post-swimming career ahead of him, is entering uncharted waters as well.
“When you get ready to retire,” Lewis said, “everybody says, ‘Are you gonna miss it?’ So I’ve talked to Michael about that a lot. Told him, ‘Enjoy this frickin’ ride! It’s not sad! It’s the most wonderful thing ever!
“I think I can give him the words he’ll appreciate, from someone who has been in his shoes. I’ve been through the ups and downs with him. Always tried to tell him there will be a great life for him after this. But it’s life too. It’s not easy all the time.”
Phelps texted Lewis after the race, telling him people were already urging him not to retire. Lewis wouldn’t hear it.
“He’s ready for life,” he said. “Michael is a simple guy with crazy drive. And as a man, now he wants to be free.”
With adrenaline still pumping through his veins after winning one last gold, Phelps told Lewis how important he was to his success.
“‘Lion order! Lion order!’ In those last 50 meters, that was all that was going through my mind.”
(h/t MMQB)
