THE SIX KINGS Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Carroll County Times Lewis model inmate By Aaron Wilson, Times Staff Writer Thursday, May 26, 2005 OWINGS MILLS - Jamal Lewis' confinement has been defined by a regimented existence built around a strict diet, devotion to exercise and intellectual curiosity, not by bitterness and regret, according to his teammates and coaches. Inside the walls of a federal prison camp in Pensacola, Fla., the Baltimore Ravens' former All-Pro running back is serving the final days of a four-month sentence after pleading guilty to using a cellular phone to arrange a cocaine deal. Scheduled to be released on June 2, Lewis awakes before dawn to work in the prison tool shop, rehabilitates his surgically-repaired right ankle and regularly checks out books from the library. Between his busy schedule, impending release and frequent visits from friends and family, Lewis' spirits have remained high, according to several members of the Ravens organization. Lewis' mother visits every weekend, and his visit list from the Ravens includes owner Steve Bisciotti, general manager Ozzie Newsome, trainer Bill Tessendorf, fullback Alan Ricard, nickel back Deion Sanders and linebacker Adalius Thomas. "I'm looking at a man that has grown as a person and also has physically kept himself on top of his game as opposed to deteriorating and treating this as a negative experience," said running backs coach Matt Simon, who has visited Lewis twice. "I see how he's found a real positive aspect of this experience. It's motivating. It's inspiring. "I know he's eager about freedom, but he's been very patient and has looked at the experience as, 'I'm going to do my time and better myself instead of becoming negative about the system or society.'" Lewis entered prison Feb. 4 after pleading guilty to a drug crime that dates back to the summer of 2000 before he signed a six-year, $35.3 million contract with Baltimore. When Lewis is released, his sentence requires that he serve two months in a halfway house and perform 500 hours of community service. Team officials remain hopeful that Lewis may be allowed to serve his house arrest in Baltimore, not Atlanta as the judge stipulated. "I'm going to see him in Atlanta when he gets out and work out with him down there," Ricard said. "He's holding up, considering the situation. He's ripped up. I was expecting him to be real swollen. He's leaner. "His spirits seem high. He can't wait to get out obviously. I think it would be hard on anybody to give up four months of your freedom." Added Simon: "He knows that if he does everything that the court asks, there's a chance they will allow him to come to Baltimore early to do that. He isn't looking to skip anything." Simon described a typical day for the 2003 NFL Offensive Player of the Year as a spartan life. Lewis typically wakes up at 4:30 or 5 a.m., beginning a work detail at 6 where he hauls equipment or hands out tools until early afternoon. Afterward, Lewis rehabs his ankle and is now capable of light jogging and running. "He's been working in the weight room like a maniac," Simon said. "He's in such great physical shape he actually looks younger." Lewis reportedly weighs about 240 pounds, avoiding junk food and following a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. "He's basically purified his system," Simon said. "He's not eating the fatty foods in the cafeteria. He really looks fantastic." Before the guards shut off the lights at the minimum-security prison, Lewis closes his day by reading a book, usually literature, Simon said. "He's very focused, very rested," Newsome said. "He's looking forward to getting back with his teammates." Lewis was accused of helping to broker a drug deal shortly after he was selected fifth overall by the Ravens in the 2000 NFL draft. Three years later, Lewis rushed for 2,066 yards - the second-highest single-season total in league history - all the while aware that law enforcement authorities were preparing a case against him for the grand jury. Indicted months after his record-breaking season, Lewis initially pleaded not guilty. Last fall, Lewis' lawyers advised him to accept a plea bargain rather than risk a potential career-ending sentence of five years at trial. "Jamal is staying strong, he's handling it like a man," Thomas said. "When Jamal gets out, it's, 'Look out NFL,' because he's extremely hungry. He's a strong person, and this isn't going to keep him down." Lewis served a two-game suspension without pay from the NFL last season and was reprimanded by NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. He was fined an additional two game checks for a total of roughly $761,000 in lost salary. Now, Lewis is preparing to rejoin his teammates in all likelihood during the first week of training camp. When Lewis does get back in uniform, the Ravens say he'll appreciate it even more after what Billick called a life-altering experience. "Above all, he has a high regard for freedom, which is something we tend to take for granted," Simon said. "Right now he's eager to have freedom again. That's beautiful, too." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedroz13 Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 What a hero, what an inspiration. I'm obviously kidding, since this guy had a hand in a drug deal. At the same time, its good to see him do his time without whining about it and making a huge deal of it. Sounds like he's in awesome shape and trying to make the best of the situation to hopefully never make a mistake like it again. I can't wait to draft him in the second round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trots Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Good luck finding him in the 2nd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedroz13 Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Good luck finding him in the 2nd. 823993[/snapback] Yeah, early second MAYBE .....we'll see. I think first round might have 2 QBs in it and 1 WR in it, so maybe not in the second. Lots of RBs that could go ahead of him though....LT, Priest, McAllister, McGahee, J. Jones, Ahman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spain Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 I expect a monster year out of Jamal and think he should be taken in the middle of the 1st round.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo mama Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Carroll County TimesLewis model inmate By Aaron Wilson, Times Staff Writer Thursday, May 26, 2005 He's holding up, considering the situation. He's ripped up. I was expecting him to be real swollen. 823894[/snapback] Uh, I wonder what part of Lewis' anatomy they were referring to... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE SIX KINGS Posted May 26, 2005 Author Share Posted May 26, 2005 (edited) Under the guidelines of his sentence handed down by a federal judge in Atlanta, Lewis must return to Atlanta for a two-month stint in a halfway house, according to his lawyer, Jerome Froelich. That means Lewis cannot be involved in the Ravens mini-camps currently going on through June 12 and will not be able to report to training camp when veterans are due on July 31 at McDaniel College in Westminster, Md. There was considerable speculation that Lewis would apply to have his halfway house stint moved to Owings Mills, Md., so that he could rejoin the Ravens. But federal prosecutors in Atlanta frowned on that idea, according to a source with knowledge of Lewis' case. So, Lewis will have to remain in Atlanta until Aug. 2. ESPN.com Edited May 26, 2005 by THE SIX KINGS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 I expect a monster year out of Jamal and think he should be taken in the middle of the 1st round.. 824039[/snapback] Word. If he is still available in the 2nd round of any 12-team league, I want in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Red Posted May 27, 2005 Share Posted May 27, 2005 Good luck finding him in the 2nd. 823993[/snapback] Kickazz avitar. YankMees suck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spain Posted May 27, 2005 Share Posted May 27, 2005 I cant imagine that Lewis would NOT be taken in the 1st round of every ff draft. In jail, he will have alot of time to do nothing but workout and get his mind right. It sounds like he is doing just that. and if he does, he will be absolutely unstoppable. Lewis is big, strong, and fast. He was the 5th pick in the draft the year he came out. The Ravens have finally got a decent wr corps with the introduction of Mason and Clayton. If Boller can show any significant improvement whatsoever, the Ravens will have an offense to go along with a top 5 defense. This team could be poised to make a deep run into the playoffs. My prediction for the AFC Championship Game: Ravens vs Colts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoothead Posted May 27, 2005 Share Posted May 27, 2005 I'm keeping him in the keeper league I'm in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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