Ray Lewis visited Boulder to speak to the Colorado Buffaloes players

Jason Jones

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Ray Lewis visited Boulder to speak to the Colorado Buffaloes players image

Deion Sanders entered the meeting room with his Colorado Buffaloes on Friday with a pep in his step. The head coach was still addressing the Utah loss as recently as Thursday, but Friday any negativity from that loss seemed to be replaced with optimism for this week.

Sanders often will give something first, as in a later meeting time or a shorter practice, but he always expects something in return. This time the practices from the linebackers was Sanders getting something. So, he in turn gave the linebackers something. That something was Ray Lewis, live and in person.

Well Off Media provided video for the meeting between Lewis and the Buffaloes players. Lewis entered the meeting room; the response was reverent but not loud or chaotic. The Buffaloes players are no stranger to big-name guest speakers. Like many speakers before him, Lewis began focused on details. Speaking to what each player does when no one’s watching. The difference between being exceptional and being ordinary comes down to how much you put in. 

Lewis touched on distractions and the unimportance of social media likes and follows in the face of the work that needs to be done. “The only thing that follows work is results”, said Lewis. In that same stretch, Lewis spoke of the self-motivation and if the coaches have to coach every detail every day, the players are only harming themselves.

Hunt like lions not individuals

“Lions hunt, and if the lion doesn’t eat, he starves”

Lewis challenged the players to not live life based on ‘ifs’. If I would’ve watched more film, if I had worked out the way I should have, if I had listened to the coach. Insinuating they can be in control of any possible regrets later.

He also reiterated a long-standing foundation of the Coach Prime message, belief. “If you guys don’t believe in each other, how do you win? Lewis asked. He also asked about coming together and communicating together. His underlying concept being that success comes from hunting as a unit or a pack. That should be a unified concept throughout. Even with something like film study.

“I don’t care how many gold jackets you have in this room, if you don’t do your part, faith with work is dead.”

The hall of fame linebacker added something to Sanders’ belief concept. Trust. Speaking of their time playing together, Lewis said, “Coach Prime used to play a lot, but I told him, if you trust what we do, this is special.” He moved directly into assignment, alignment and technique.

One of the underlying themes was hunting as a unit. One plan, one thought, one execution. Supported by a brotherhood with community communication. “If you don’t have each other, you don’t have nothing,” Lewis proclaimed.

Another one of Lewis’ themes was preparation and sacrifice. Something Sanders has been preaching for some time. What are you willing to give up to be great. Lewis asked the same thing but provided an example. How many of you, get home, put your phone on silent and put in two to three hours in your playbook? Three out of a room of seventy raised their hands.

Greatness is based on what you are willing to sacrifice

“When I got home every day, my phone got put away. My computer room was built and I’m not leaving for six or seven hours. Because I want to know what Peyton Manning is going to do if he needs to (expletive). I want to know how bad he’s gotta (expletive). That’s how much information you’ve got to want to know, to be great.”

Lewis finished his address by suggesting just how difficult greatness is. “Greatness is the scariest thing you’ll ever do, because you got to do it every day of life,” said Lewis. And some people are going to call you crazy, and every time they do, you’re going to be separating yourself, every step you take.” Lewis challenged the players to change their routine and their mentality.

“What you won’t do, somebody else will.”

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Staff Writer