Linebacker

Mitch Ross, the supplement maker who allegedly provided deer antler velvet spray to Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis, said during a news conference Friday that he's received death threats from angry Ravens fans. Ross didn't provide any specific information about the alleged threats, though. "It's unfortunate that I'm getting death threats from Ravens fans," said a sleeveless Ross, who was wearing a black skull cap and displaying bottles of the spray and other products, including performance chips, which aren't banned by the NFL. "I got duped by Sports Illustrated.

The city of Baltimore could not be more excited (well, I guess they haven't turned the harbor purple ... yet) for Sunday's Super Bowl which, pits the Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers. Madison Avenue execs are not so thrilled. According to Bob Dorfman, a sports marketing expert at San Franciscco's Baker Street Advertising, the game will be short on endorsement talent. Dorfman sees only two players who could use the game to catapult toward major deals: Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.

NEW ORLEANS -- The old lion is about to stalk into the football jungle one last time Sunday night before retracting his claws for good. And the young lion is eager to pounce on the throne that retiring Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis has owned for 17 years. San Francisco 49ers star inside linebacker Patrick Willis has a deep respect for Lewis, his longtime friend and mentor, but he can't wait to become the new Lion King. Ever since Willis forged a relationship with Lewis, built through their mutual friendship with former 49ers coach and Ravens linebackers coach Mike Singletary, the 28-year-old six-time Pro Bowl selection has referred to Lewis as Mufasa, as in the Lion King.

Each day this week, reporter and blogger Matt Vensel will break down a key matchup from Sunday's Super Bowl. Today, he looks at how the 49ers may try to keep Ravens running back Ray Rice out of the end zone. In Ray Rice, the Ravens have one of the NFL's most versatile playmakers, a running back who is capable of grinding out tough yards between the tackles and producing big plays outside of them. He is a slippery runner inside the red zone. And he is one of few legit runners who can also flex out wide and do damage as a receiver.

Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was just a little too vague when he responded at Tuesday's Super Bowl media event to a Sports Illustrated report that he might have used a banned substance during his quick recovery from a triceps injury, so he delivered a much stronger denial at Wednesday's news conference at the team's hotel . Maybe that will quiet this strange controversy long enough for the Ravens to focus their complete attention on Sunday's title...

With his retirement ride wrapping up in the Super Bowl, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis remains a popular topic on social media. And while perceptions have changed since Lewis pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in relation to a double murder in Atlanta in 2000, some on social media remain critical of the 17-year NFL veteran. According to Forbes.com, which recently spoke to a social media firm called Fizziology , approximately 20 percent of all mentions of Lewis on sites like Twitter and Facebook were analyzed as negative or mixed in the past week.

In a story that includes the phrase "he asks between squirts of deer antler," Sports Illustrated brings the fascinating story of two men aggressively marketing a line of health care supplements -- hologram stickers, the aforementioned deer antler spray, powders, underwear drenched in liquid (seriously) -- to college and pro athletes. The company's name explains the concept: S.W.A.T.S., which stands for Sports with Alternatives to Steroids. At the center of the story is none other than Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who is in New Orleans preparing to play the final game of his NFL career on Sunday.

Jermaine Carter liked the idea of playing with other Friendship Collegiate (D.C.) grads at Maryland, and staying close to home was a bonus, too. But his decision to commit to the Terps boiled down primarily to one reason. “The defense that they run, I'm kind of familiar with it,” Carter said. “My team runs a similar defense. … It's a 3-4.” Carter played the MIKE linebacker spot for Friendship Collegiate, calling the plays and making “the audibles if needed.” The future Terp relished his role as a defensive leader for the D.C. Statewide Athletic Association champions.

"Saturday Night Live" tapped into excitement over the Super Bowl and the amusement over Ray Lewis' exuberance during the Weekend Update segment. Kenan Thompson appeared in jersey and face paint as Lewis, whom host Seth Meyers interviewed. The highlight came with Thompson's promise that, upon winning the Super Bowl, he would kneel down on the 50-yeard line and ASCEND INTO HEAVEN. Thompson: Whooh! Oh, Seth. Meyers: So, Ray, are you excited for the big game? Thompson: Aaah.

Brendon Ayanbadejo doesn't need Super Bowl XLVII to assist the cause for gay rights and gay marriage. But the Ravens inside linebacker won't turn down the opportunity during the week in New Orleans to champion the push for equality. Ayanbadejo, who contributed to Maryland passing an initiative to legalize gay marriage in November, was peppered about using the lead up to the Super Bowl as a platform, but he pointed out that he doesn't really need to seek the cameras or recorders. “Organically, it was going to happen anyway,” he said after Friday's practice.