Lewis ends career with Super Bowl victory as Ravens hold off 49ers for 34-31 win

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis holds up a newspaper after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, in New Orleans. The Ravens won 34-31. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

<strong>NEW ORLEANS (AP)—</strong> Ray Lewis will ride into retirement as a champion.

Baltimore’s standout middle linebacker began his final night on the football field with a motivational speech to his teammates. He ended it looking upward into a shower of silver streamers and purple confetti after the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 Sunday night to win the Super Bowl.

Standing tall in the middle of a defense that survived a frenzied comeback by Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers, Lewis put a lovely bow on his 17th NFL season by earning his second Super Bowl ring — 12 years after the first.

Lewis was the MVP of the Super Bowl when Baltimore beat the Giants.

On Sunday night, Lewis and his defense played a supporting role to Joe Flacco and the offense.

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