Jamal Lewis 2002 Topps NFL Card - Baltimore Ravens Running Back

This little card right here, now that I think about it, is pretty cool. Maybe one of my favorites. I don't know how many Jamal Lewis cards I own. I distinctly remember getting these green 2002 Topps cards for Christmas.

When I became a Titans fan as a child, I almost became a Ravens fan. I considered the Ravens my second favorite team for like a year of my life in elementary school LOL. How times have changed.

But yes, back in the early 2000s, the Titans and Ravens were two elite, very physically imposing, AFC teams and so it's not surprising that a pretty strong rivalry was born between Baltimore and Nashville. Frankly, I believe the Titans/Ravens rivalry from back then is underrated.

I feel like the rivalry never really went away. There's been a lot of good battles between these two franchises over the past two decades.

A big part of the Ravens' success from those early 2000's teams was CERTAINLY Jamal Lewis!! This guy was the definition of just a powerful athletic running back that hit the hole with zero hesitation. I was always a big fan. He was a massive part of the Super Bowl XXXV winning Ravens team.

One of the first things I certainly think about when I think of Jamal Lewis is his EPIC 2003 season when he ran for a mind blowing 2,066 rushing yards!!

That was such a fun season to watch man. What a legendary season. Week after week just running through defenses like butter. Running for 2,000 yards is special. I feel like that season isn't talked about enough!

Here's my card. Such a cool, trippy flashback in time.

This card actually captures Jamal after his Super Bowl but BEFORE his 2,000 yard season.

I think people actually sometimes almost consider Lewis a one hit wonder which is laughable to me. He had a few down years after but he then also re-established himself with several 1,000 yard seasons, including a 1,300 yard season in 2007, four seasons after his 2,000 yard campaign. He also had three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons from 2006-2008, once again, several seasons after his EPIC year.

Also, the dude won a Super Bowl BEFORE his 2,000 yard season. He ran for 100 yards in that Super Bowl.

Basically, I think Jamal Lewis, and a lot of running backs, should be remembered and respected more. It's all QBs and WRs nowadays. I could argue that even some defensive positions get more respect before running backs. The fall of the running back is real. I remember a time when a running back was nearly on par with quarterbacks in terms of importance to a team.

But yeah. Jamal Lewis is a legend. He was in the league ten seasons, but played for nine due to a season ending injury in 2001. He played in 131 games, starting 126 of them with two teams, the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. In that time here is what Lewis accomplished:

• 10,607 Career Rushing Yards - 25th All-Time in NFL History
• 12,486 Career Yards From Scrimmage - 58th All-Time in NFL History
  • 1,879 Receiving Yards
• 58 Career Rushing Touchdowns - 56th All-Time in NFL History
  • 62 Total Career Touchdowns
    • 4 Receiving Touchdowns
• 221 Receptions
• 1x 2,000 Rushing Yard Season - 1 of 8 NFL Players in NFL History EVER to reach 2,000 Rushing Yards in a Season
• His 2,066 Rushing Yards in 2003 puts him at #3 For Most Yards EVER Rushed for in a Single NFL Season
• 6x 1,000 Rushing Yard Seasons
• 1x SUPER BOWL Champion
• 1x NFL Offensive Player of the Year
• 1x First-Team NFL All-Pro
• 1x Pro Bowl
• NFL 2000's All-Decade Team
• Ravens Ring of Honor

I mean WOW what did this guy NOT accomplish??

Lewis's playoff stats in six games include:

• 494 Yards From Scrimmage
• 4 Rushing Touchdowns

Lewis was so fun to watch, thanks for the great memories Jamal!

What do you think of Lewis's career?

Keep sharing those cards, the community is almost at 40 subs! :)