Ray Lewis close to deal with ESPN

Lewis and ESPN are Close To An Agreement

Lewis and ESPN are close to an agreement on a contract for several years where he has an important role in the "Monday Night Countdown" show, SI.Com Richard Deitsch reports. Lewis said Wednesday that withdraw when the Ravens playoff run ends and no official announcement of the next stop is expected before. The Ravens host the Indianapolis Colts in a wild-card playoff game Sunday.

The agreement with ESPN appearances include different platforms and can respond to a post-Lewis Ravens needed: a schedule flexible enough to allow him to see his son, Ray Lewis III, following the football game Miami University this fall. Appearing on CBS's Sunday Morning and Fox forces to work on Saturday.

He wants to play for the first time since tearing his triceps two months ago when the Ravens host the Colts in the game wild-card Sunday, saying: "There is no reason for me not to play," according to The Baltimore Sun .

Lewis hinted at retirement before. He said last summer that he did not see himself playing beyond 37 years. Lewis turned 37 in May.

Lewis said he wanted to spend more time with his two son. While working to recover from his injury, Lewis watched his children play in the same football team, the school, and he wants to watch Ray Lewis III run as rookie of the year next to his alma mater, the University Miami. Has been reported, according to the sources, a key requirement for flexibility Lewis broadcasting career in his schedule so he could attend the game with his son.

Lewis became 12 Pro Bowl, was named first-team All-Pro seven times and was voted NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice. He led the Ravens in tackles in 14 of his 17 season, the exception being the year in which he missed a lot of time with injuries (2002, 2005, 2012).

According to ESPN Stats and Information, only four players in the history of NFL Pro Bowl over Lewis (Bruce Matthews, 14, Jerry Rice, 13, Reggie White, 13 Tony Gonzalez, 13). Lewis led the Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XXXV when he was a key figure in the defense that set the NFL record for fewest points allowed in a season of 16 games.