Hard hits and motivational speeches are what recent Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Ray Lewis was known for. Baltimore’s 1996 first-round draft pick becomes the second homegrown Raven to earn the honors (aside from left tackle Jonathan Ogden in 2013). When it came time to discuss Lewis’s candidacy, there wasn’t much to say—his talent and natural born leadership speak for themselves.

During his nearly two-decade career, he was a 13-time Pro Bowler, two-time defensive player of the year, and Super Bowl 35 MVP. He is also the only player in NFL history to produce at least 40 sacks and 30 interceptions. Lewis also holds a Ravens’ franchise-record of 2,643 career tackles, including a single-season best of 225 stops in 2003.

“For 17 years, we could point to No. 52 and tell the other players, ‘Follow his lead,” said Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, who drafted Lewis. “It was our privilege to have him as a Raven. We are all better for having him here. His play on game days speaks for itself. When you talk about the great players of all time, no matter the position, he is among the greatest of the great.” 

Here are some Lewis highlights, from memorable sacks to the patented squirrel dance, that made him a shoe-in for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Lewis was one of the hardest hitting linebackers.
“In the first half of his career, when the run game was the most prominent, he was a beast,” said former Raven Shannon Sharpe. “He singlehandedly shut down great backs like Jerome Bettis, Eddie George, and Fred Taylor. No inside linebacker in the history of the game has the résumé of the man I call ‘Suga.'”

He was an entertainer.
Although Lewis was the on-field hypeman, he was also the main attraction before the coin was even tossed with his famous tunnel dance to Nelly’s “Hot in Herre.” Fans and opponents alike made sure to watch—and even imitate—his signature moves before he hit the field. 

He will forever be the best at motivational pep talks, on and off the field.
“What needs to be said about a guy who was, by far, the best leader I witnessed in my 17 years of play?” said former teammate Rod Woodson. “Not only a great leader to the whole team, but a mentor to teammates and players on other teams—so unselfish and so selfless.”

On Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 27 semifinalists for induction in 2018, with former Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis and former Viking and Patriot wide receiver Randy Moss topping the list.

Lewis, of course, who already has a statue outside M&T Bank Stadium, led the Ravens to two Super Bowl titles while earning selection to 13 Pro Bowl squads. If he makes it into Canton this year, as expected, he’ll join Jonathan Ogden (HOF Class of 2013) as the second Ravens star named to the Hall. Ogden and Lewis, as any serious Ravens fan knows, were the fledging team’s first two draft picks ever in 1996. 

Also making the list in their first year of eligibility are former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, former Seahawk and Viking guard Steve Hutchinson, former Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber, and former Patriot and Raider defensive tackle Richard Seymour.

The often-controversial Lewis was in the news for other reasons as well this week. He was sued recently, according to multiple reports, for allegedly failing to come though with promised cash and bourbon after a marketing deal struck with the owner of the Kentucky Derby-winning racehorse California Chrome. Lewis is involved with a bourbon label called Ray’s Reserve. 

Earlier this year, Lewis also generated some controversy when he said the Ravens were ready to sign activist/quarterback Colin Kaepernick until a pointed tweet by the former 49er quarterback’s girlfriend involving Lewis hugging Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. He also received some negative fan reaction after kneeling—albeit on two knees in prayer—during the national anthem before a game with a number of Baltimore Ravens this season.

Lewis infamously pled guilty to obstruction of justice in the death of two men who were allegedly stabbed to death by two of his friends during a fight after the 2000 Super Bowl in Atlanta.

The minimum criteria for nominating a player is pretty simple: he has to have played at least five seasons, got named to at least one Pro Bowl or All-Pro roster, and has been out of the game for five seasons. 

It is interesting that anyone—yes, even a fan—can nominate a qualified ex-ballplayer. It is also worth noting perhaps that the Pro Football Hall of Fame—unlike the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum—has no character clause in its rules.