Ray Lewis Memories: Chuck Pagano

As Ray Lewis prepares to take his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, teammates, coaches, opponents, family and members of the media reflect on the legacy of the legendary Ravens linebacker with their favorite memories and never-before-heard stories.

Chuck Pagano
As told to Glenn Clark

Chuck Pagano was the Ravens’ secondary coach from 2008-2010 and defensive coordinator in 2011.

The 2011 AFC Championship Game — we had the game won. Joe Flacco hits Lee Evans, and we think we have a touchdown, but the D-back popped it out at the last second. And then Billy Cundiff thinks it’s third down, but it’s fourth down. And so he comes trotting out there and shanks that kick to tie it up. And we lose the AFC Championship Game.

We get in that locker room, and John Harbaugh gives his remarks. And guys are, I mean, guys are sick. And Ray just said, “Hey, look” just like always, one of the most inspirational and passionate, straightforward perspective speeches that you’ve ever heard about life. He just told the guys, “Keep things in perspective, but remember this feeling.” He goes, “Remember this feeling right now that you’ve got in the pit of your stomach, because we are going to be back here. Same place, same time, a year from now. And we’ll get the job done.”

And don’t you know, he went right back there. And then he gets hurt that season, in 2012, when I was with the Colts. He comes back, announces “I’m retiring,” and then he comes back before the playoffs. He comes back, and they play out their ass and win the Super Bowl.

The last memory I’ve got of him on the football field, other than watching the Super Bowl and stuff, but seeing it live, was him trotting out there when John put him out there [on offense] for the last game at M&T, and he put him in the victory formation and then he did his Ray Lewis specialty dance. And I couldn’t be pissed. I couldn’t be pissed at all because I loved the son of a bitch.

To read all 52 memories of No. 52, visit PressBoxOnline.com/Ray.

PressBox

For more from PressBox, read the latest news here.