Watch Ray Lewis perform last dance for home crowd in Baltimore

Ray Lewis hadn’t played for the Baltimore Ravens since October. After announcing his impending retirement last week, the star linebacker played his final home game Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts during the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.

He put on quite a show for the crowd at M&T; Stadium, showing no ill effects from his triceps injury by registering a game-high 13 tackles.

But even with the Ravens already having punched their ticket to the next round of the playoffs, holding a 24-9 lead and the ball with 43 seconds remaining, Lewis wasn’t done in Baltimore yet. With just one more snap needed and the offense lined up in victory formation, the two-time defensive player of the year walked onto the field and lined up alone in the backfield.

And immediately following quarterback Joe Flacco’s kneel-down to effectively end the game, Lewis launched into a reprise of his signature fiery dance, usually performed after he comes out of the tunnel before the game to inspire his team and the crowd.

Lewis has played for the Ravens all 17 years of his NFL career. His first year in the league was the team’s first in Baltimore and he long ago became the face and spiritual leader of the franchise, which he led to its only Super Bowl victory after the 2000 season.

Since the Ravens are now the lowest seed remaining in the AFC, they will play no more home games this year. Needless to say, the fans appreciated one last dance in person.

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