Off-field notes on Lewis, Oher

May 10, 2010 10:40 AM by Dan Kolko View Comments

I've got plenty more notes to pass along from this weekend's minicamp, but first, I have a couple off-field updates for you.

The first involves linebacker Ray Lewis, who will have a section of Baltimore City's North Avenue renamed "Ray Lewis Way".

The renaming will take place tomorrow at 1 p.m. on the corner of North Ave. and Broadway. Lewis will be on hand to accept the honor and Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawkings-Blake and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh will be among those who make remarks at the unveiling.

The North Avenue corridor, at the corner of Broadway, is home to the DIAKON Center, where Lewis and his charitable foundation have their annual Thanksgiving distribution for nearly 1,000 Baltimore families in need.

In addition to his Thanksgiving distribution, Lewis and his Ray Lewis Foundation annually hosts a back-to-school kickoff event and a Holiday Gift Marketplace where youth "shop" for gifts for themselves and loved ones.

While Lewis' volunteer work has helped thousands in the Baltimore area, Michael Oher is taking to national television to help a family in need.

Oher and his adoptive family, the Tuohy's, will be celebrity volunteers for an upcoming episode of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" where they will be helping to re-build the home of Jeremy and Jennifer Williams. Jeremy is a coach who has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, and his son Jacob has Spina Bifida.

The Williams' current home is too small to accommodate two disabled family members.

Joining Oher and his family will be ESPN analysts Herm Edwards, Mark Schlereth, Mark May and Desmond Howard.

The episode, which is the show's season finale, will air Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.