LAKELAND, Fla. — Lakeland's own - Ray Lewis - is bringing the celebration home this weekend.
- Ray Lewis celebration in Lakeland
- Hall-of-Famer to celebrate his induction at his former high school
- Public invited to Kathleen High Saturday at 2 p.m.
- Lewis reaches gold status in Canton (Aug. 3)
The recently-minted Pro Football Hall of Famer is returning home to celebrate his induction and thank the community that helped mold him.
There will be a celebration at Kathleen High School Saturday as the Polk School Board declares Aug. 25 "Ray Lewis Day."
The retired Baltimore Ravens linebacker grew up in Lakeland and was standout football player and wrestler at Kathleen High, graduating in 1993.
Lewis will be in town for a series of dedications and will give a speech.
Current Kathleen High Principal Johnnie Jackson, who attended classes with Lewis, said they liked to have fun back in the day but were respectful and worked hard. Jackson said Lewis was a role model for current students.
"If I can do it, you can do it," Jackson said of Lewis' message. "You know, he’s (Lewis) never looked at himself as being greater than anyone it’s just that if you work hard and continue to work hard, good things will come to you and I think that’s his legacy, never give up."
A celebrity golf tournament is set for Friday at Cleveland Heights Golf Course in Lakeland. That event will benefit scholarship funds for the school district.
For info, contact tournament Clinton Glover at 863-838-4031 or by email at clglover51@aol.com.
On Saturday, the public is invited to the celebration at Kathleen High, located at 1100 Red Devil Way in Lakeland. The event begins at 2 p.m.