Ray Lewis: Once Tried For Two Murders, Now Walks In Victory And With God

Last night at the NFL Super Bowl XLVII, Ray Lewis walked away with his second Super Bowl ring and walked away from his 17-year career playing in the NFL. When describing his team's triumphant victory against the San Francisco 49ers, Lewis deflected the credit to God. "It's simple: when God is for you, who can be against you?" said Lewis to the CBS podium.

According to a new study released by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), over quarter of Americans agree with Lewis that God does indeed play a role in the outcome of the big game. The survey also found that 53 percent of the 1,033 adults questioned believe that God rewards athletes of faith.

Last week, Sports Illustrated touched on the topic of sports and religion with a cover story asking whether God cares who wins the Super Bowl. According to Robert P. Jones, fouding CEO of PRRI, "In an era where professional sports are driven by dollars and statistics, significant numbers of Americans see a divine hand at play," he said in a statement. "Roughly 3-in-10 Americans believe that God plays a role in determining which team wins, and a majority (53 percent) believe that God rewards faithful athletes."

Lewis has always been open about his Christian faith and how it has affected his life and athletic career. After recovering from nursing a torn right tricep, the 13-time Pro Bowler professed that God helped him decide to end his career. ''God is calling," Lewis said in a press conference. "My children have made the ultimate sacrifice for their father for 17 years. I don't want to see them do that no more. I've done what I wanted to do in this business, and now it's my turn to give them something back.''

Being a man of faith has not only strengthened Lewis' character, but it also helped reshape his public image. In 2000, he was put on trial for the murder of two men at a nightclub in Atlanta. Although the charges were dropped and he pleaded guilty to the charge of obstruction of justice, many people still hold Lewis' dark past against him.  However, over the years he has used his religious beliefs and his past as a testament to overcoming tragedy, walking in victory both on and off the field.