When most people look at swimming legend Michael Phelps, they only see his success. But the man has had to endure a lot of challenges and personal struggles throughout his career. From battling depression to overcoming addiction, Phelps has faced numerous obstacles that have shaped him into the resilient athlete he is today. But he could not have overcome these challenges without the unwavering support of his best friend, Ray Lewis.

Lewis, a former NFL player and Hall of Famer, has been a constant source of inspiration and motivation for Phelps. When Lewis delivered an electrifying Hall of Fame speech, it touched Phelps on a deep emotional level, moving him to tears. Recently an Instagram user reuploaded a video from the 2019 speech reminding everyone how the two legends have supported each other through thick and thin.

The unbreakable bond between Michael Phelps and Ray Lewis

Phelps had hit a rough patch in 2014 and did not want to live anymore. He was arrested on a DUI charge but could not shake off the feeling of despair and hopelessness. During this dark time, Ray Lewis reached out to Phelps and forced some sense into his stubborn head. The legendary football star “gave him some harsh reality” and compelled Phelps to seek treatment at the Meadows Rehab Center in Arizona. The former Ravens linebacker was not immune to struggles himself, having faced false murder charges and served time in prison. He showed Phelps that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to turn one’s life around.

During his Hall of Fame speech, he could not help but address Michael Phelps to remind him what really matters in their life. He instilled in the swimmer a sense of purpose and the importance of using his platform to make a positive impact on their city. Ray Lewis and Michael Phelps are both proud residents of the city of Baltimore.

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In fact, the title “Baltimore Bullet” is a source of great pride for Phelps. On the video uploaded on the Instagram account named  ‘rayodfilms’, Lewis called him “one of my greatest friends brother”. It moved the swimmer to tears and reminded him of all Lewis had done for him. The edited video clip ended with snippets of the two supporting each other throughout their respective careers.

A timeless friendship

When Michael Phelps declared his retirement, Lewis was quick with some words of advice. He knew it would be difficult for the iconic swimmer to transition out of the spotlight initially. Therefore, Lewis reached out to him and said, “Enjoy this frickin’ ride! It’s not sad!” Phelps’ fans were not ready to see him go and flooded his social media accounts with requests to return to swimming. Ray Lewis came to his rescue and asked everyone to honor Phelps’ wish to be a free man.

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Phelps has always followed Lewis’ advice and considers him a big brother. On the other hand, Lewis said he would be there to support Phelps during all his struggles. Not many can boast of such a strong bond.

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