Michael Phelps Wouldn't Have Competed In The 2012 Olympics If Not For Ray Lewis

OK, before we go any further, we have to address Michael Phelps's new look. Apparently, Phelps has been hanging out in a lot of coffee shops and going to a lot of Japandroids concerts since the summer Olympics. Or perhaps he's just a really big fan of that crazy guy who used to edit Gawker.

Phelps, a Baltimore native, was on the Ravens' sideline during last night's AFC Championship game, cheering on his hometown team. After the game, in an interview with Yahoo Sports, Phelps revealed that Ravens middle linebacker and master of the cryface Ray Lewis was responsible for inspiring him to compete in the 2012 Olympics. You can watch the entire interview here, but here's what Phelps had to say about Lewis:

I think he's probably the most inspirational person I've ever met in my entire life. A lot of people don't know this, but he was one of the biggest reasons why I came back for four more years. Just some of the things that we have talked about, and he's helped me get through, I can't be more happier.

So, the greatest Olympian in American history wouldn't be what he is today if it weren't for Ray Lewis. Ray Lewis is America.

[ Yahoo]