Ravens' Ray Lewis calls banned substance rumor 'trick of the devil'

Ray Lewis will meet with reporters one more time before Sunday's Super Bowl. (Photo: Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)

Story Highlights
  • Linebacker calls SWATS owner Mitch Ross a 'coward'
  • Lewis: 'People really plan things and try to attack people now'
  • Retiring star doesn't plan to tackle topic again but will meet with reporters again Thursday

    NEW ORLEANS — Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis went into attack mode Wednesday morning, calling the owner of an alternative medicine clinic a "coward" for telling Sports Illustrated that Lewis tried to obtain a banned substance to help speed Lewis' recovery from a torn triceps.

    The magazine published a story on its website Tuesday in which Mitch Ross, the owner of Sports with Alternatives to Steroids, said Lewis tried to get deer-antler velvet extract, which comes in a spray that contains IGF-1, which is considered a banned substance by the NFL.

    BELL: Lewis can't always have it his way

    MORE: Warren Sapp stunned by story

    Lewis called the report, and Ross, "foolish," and said he "never, ever took" the extract.

    "It's a joke if you know me," Lewis said Wednesday at a press conference at the Ravens' team hotel. "I tell (teammates) all the time: 'Don't let people from the outside ever try to disturb what's inside.' That's the trick of the devil. The trick of the devil is to kill, steal and destroy. That's what he comes to do. He comes to distract you from everything you're trying to do."

    PHOTOS: Ray Lewis through the years

    None
    Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, right, celebrates with Vonta Leach after the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots in Foxborough, Mass.  Matt Slocum, AP
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ray Lewis celebrates with the Lamar Hunt Trophy in the locker room after the Ravens defeated the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium.  Getty Images
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) is tackled by Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium.  Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) celebrates after the AFC divisional playoff game against the Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Ravens won 38-35 in double overtime.  Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) lines up as Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning gets ready to take the snap during the second quarter of the AFC divisional playoff game at Sports Authority Field.  Chris Humphreys. USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) in overtime against the Broncos during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. The Ravens defeated the Broncos 38-35 in double overtime.  Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis pumps up the crowd during a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Lewis announced that he will retire after 17 seasons with the Ravens.  Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    After missing the final 10 games of the 2012 regular season, Lewis returned for the Ravens' wild-card playoff matchup against the Colts, his final home game in Baltimore. Lewis' signature entrance gave the 70,000 fans at M&T Bank Stadium goosebumps.  Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    The heart and soul of the Ravens for 17 seasons, Lewis fires up the team before his final home game.  Mitch Stringer, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Lewis shares a moment with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell before his final home game.  Patrick Semansky, AP
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Lewis brings down Colts tight end Dwayne Allen, one of Lewis' team-high 13 tackles during his final home game.  Mitch Stringer, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Lewis salutes the Baltimore fans after the Ravens defeated the Colts in his final home game.  Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    The Baltimore crowd pays homage to Lewis during his final home game with the Ravens.  Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Tributes to Lewis were all over M&T Bank Stadium during his final home game in Baltimore.  Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ray Lewis, shown here during the game against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium, missed 10 games in 2012 with a torn right tricep. Lewis is a 13-time Pro Bowler, seven-time first-team all pro and two-time NFL defensive player of the year.  James Lang, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis enters the field before the game against Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium.  Paul Frederiksen, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ray Lewis comes on to the field during player introductions before game against the Houston Texans.  Eileen Blass, USA TODAY
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ray Lewis dances before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium.   Mitch Stringer, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) pressures New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the first half of the 2010 AFC Wild Card playoff game at Gillette Stadium.  Stew Milne, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is introduced before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium.  James Lang, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) loses control of the ball when he is hit by Baltimore Ravens safety Bawan Landry (26) and linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the second quarter against the at Qualcomm Stadium.  Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis enters the field against the Giants.  Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis celebrates Baltimore's 26-20 victory over Cincinnati.  H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis before the AFC Wild Card Game against the Tennessee Titans.  H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ray Lewis celebrates after the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis was named theSuper Bowl MVP.  H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ray Lewis is introduced before the AFC Championship game between Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders.  Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ray Lewis celebrates after the Ravens' victory over the Titans in the AFC divisional playoff game.  H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis dances after he came up with a loose ball during the AFC Wild Card Game. The Ravens defeated the Broncos 21-3.  Michael Madrid, USA TODAY
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Balitore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis enters the stadium prior to the AFC Wildcard game in 2000.  Michael Madrid, USA TODAY
    Related story Fullscreen
    None
    Ray Lewis of the Miami Hurricanes looks on during a game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.  Mike Powell, Getty Images
    Related story Fullscreen

    Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:
      Replay
      • Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, right, celebrates with Vonta Leach after the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots in Foxborough, Mass.
      • Ray Lewis celebrates with the Lamar Hunt Trophy in the locker room after the Ravens defeated the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium.
      • Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) is tackled by Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the first quarter of the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium.
      • Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) celebrates after the AFC divisional playoff game against the Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Ravens won 38-35 in double overtime.
      • Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) lines up as Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning gets ready to take the snap during the second quarter of the AFC divisional playoff game at Sports Authority Field.
      • Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) in overtime against the Broncos during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. The Ravens defeated the Broncos 38-35 in double overtime.
      • Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis pumps up the crowd during a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Lewis announced that he will retire after 17 seasons with the Ravens.
      • After missing the final 10 games of the 2012 regular season, Lewis returned for the Ravens' wild-card playoff matchup against the Colts, his final home game in Baltimore. Lewis' signature entrance gave the 70,000 fans at M&T Bank Stadium goosebumps.
      • The heart and soul of the Ravens for 17 seasons, Lewis fires up the team before his final home game.
      • Lewis shares a moment with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell before his final home game.
      • Lewis brings down Colts tight end Dwayne Allen, one of Lewis' team-high 13 tackles during his final home game.
      • Lewis salutes the Baltimore fans after the Ravens defeated the Colts in his final home game.
      • The Baltimore crowd pays homage to Lewis during his final home game with the Ravens.
      • Tributes to Lewis were all over M&T Bank Stadium during his final home game in Baltimore.
      • Ray Lewis, shown here during the game against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium, missed 10 games in 2012 with a torn right tricep. Lewis is a 13-time Pro Bowler, seven-time first-team all pro and two-time NFL defensive player of the year.
      • Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis enters the field before the game against Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium.
      • Ray Lewis comes on to the field during player introductions before game against the Houston Texans.
      • Ray Lewis dances before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium.
      • Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) pressures New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the first half of the 2010 AFC Wild Card playoff game at Gillette Stadium.
      • Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is introduced before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium.
      • San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) loses control of the ball when he is hit by Baltimore Ravens safety Bawan Landry (26) and linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the second quarter against the at Qualcomm Stadium.
      • Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis enters the field against the Giants.
      • Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis celebrates Baltimore's 26-20 victory over Cincinnati.
      • Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis before the AFC Wild Card Game against the Tennessee Titans.
      • Ray Lewis celebrates after the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis was named theSuper Bowl MVP.
      • Ray Lewis is introduced before the AFC Championship game between Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders.
      • Ray Lewis celebrates after the Ravens' victory over the Titans in the AFC divisional playoff game.
      • Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis dances after he came up with a loose ball during the AFC Wild Card Game. The Ravens defeated the Broncos 21-3.
      • Balitore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis enters the stadium prior to the AFC Wildcard game in 2000.
      • Ray Lewis of the Miami Hurricanes looks on during a game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.
        Autoplay
        Show Thumbnails
        Show Captions
        Fullscreen Last Slide Next Slide

        Lewis was asked multiple questions about the Sports Illustrated report. In addition to his denial of using the spray, Lewis went after Ross. The retiring superstar said he wasn't angry but admitted the allegations made him "agitated."

        "It really just shows you how people really plan things and try to attack people now. It's foolish, very foolish, and the guy has no credibility," Lewis said. "He's been sued four or five times over this same b.s. Just to entertain that, I can't. I won't. I just truly believe he doesn't have the privilege for me to speak about it again."

        That is highly unlikely.

        Lewis is scheduled to hold another press conference — his fourth of the week — Thursday morning.

        Still, Lewis insisted the story and allegations are not a distraction. He has not formally addressed the report with teammates.

        "There's no man ever trained as hard as our team has trained. There's no man who has been through what we've been through," Lewis said. "So to give somebody credit who doesn't deserve credit, that's a slap in the face for everything we went through."

        ***

        Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones