Ray Lewis meant more to the Baltimore Ravens than any player in the team's history. Lewis brought the Ravens a Super Bowl trophy, and led a defense that many consider to be one of the greatest of all-time.

When news broke yesterday that Lewis would retire, people from across the sports and pop culture spectrum chimed in on Lewis. Former players, current college players, Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones and even Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley tweeted their gratitude for Lewis' play.

Sad to hear one of the greats retired today.Thank you Ray Lewis for inspiring me and athletes around the world to be the best we can be! #52

— Manti Te'o (@MTeo_5) January 2, 2013

I def have to come to BMORE now. Gotta see Ray Lewis go out on a great note. And hope that the Bengals ball out so we host the AFC Champ gm

— Adam Jones (@SimplyAJ10) January 2, 2013

When it comes to game planing for a middle backer there was Ray Lewis and then everybody else.

— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) January 2, 2013

Ray Lewis = greatest Raven of all time. Can't wait to see that danceSunday!

— Martin O'Malley (@GovernorOMalley) January 2, 2013

Hats off to Ray Lewis! What a great competitor and long time rival. I'm going to cherish our battles on the field... fb.me/1PfL0xf8e

— Hines Ward (@mvp86hinesward) January 3, 2013

This era had 3 all-time greats: Brady, Peyton, Ray Lewis. Head and shoulders pre-eminent defender of his generation. Job well done. #Ravens

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 2, 2013

This sure Hall of Famer is taking his Last ride - He has been a hardcharging winner who always gave his BEST!espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id…

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 2, 2013

Catching up on news of day: I believe Ray Lewis will go down as a top 20 player of all time. Best sideline-to-sideline LB I have seen.

— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) January 3, 2013