Is there any question that Ravens LB Ray Lewis will command a gargantuan paycheck as a motivational speaker when his playing career finally comes to a close?

In case Lewis’ weekly pregame exploits with the Ravens aren’t evidence enough, we have the above video, in which Lewis addresses Stanford’s men’s basketball squad before Tuesday night’s 74-64 win over UMass in the NIT semifinals. The Cardinal advanced to face Minnesota in Thursday night’s final at Madison Square Garden.

to quote Lewis: “Wins and losses come a dime a dozen. But effort? Nobody can judge effort. Because effort is between you and you. Effort ain’t got nothing to do with nobody else.”

Stanford’s players could not have been more fired up to hear Lewis’ platitudes (fast forward to 1:20 for a classic reaction from forward Andrew Zimmerman) We’d also be remiss not to pass this last Lewis nugget:

“I’m pissed off for greatness. Because if you ain’t pissed off for greatness, that means you’re OK with being mediocre.”

I’m fired up.

– Aron Angel

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