Ray Lewis Pulls Out of 'Dancing With the Stars' After An Old Injury Resurfaces
Former NFL star Ray Lewis has pulled out of Dancing With the Stars after sustaining a foot injury. ET broke the news on Monday night just hours before the third episode of season 28 was set to air.
Lewis' DWTS partner Cheryl Burke then took to Twitter to confirm the duo's exit.
"Dancing with Ray has meant so much to me. His positivity and dedication are admirable, and his smile is contagious. The hard work he put into every practice and performance is something only a true athlete could do," Burke wrote. "Being an athlete means pushing yourself past your limits, but also knowing when to take care of your body. Unfortunately, due to injuries he sustained to his foot, our journey to the mirror ball ends tonight. Ray, I wish you a safe and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you do the squirrel dance again very soon. #TeamRAVENous."
so knowing when to take care of your body. Unfortunately, due to injuries he sustained to his foot, our journey to the mirror ball ends tonight. Ray, I wish you a safe and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you do the squirrel dance again very soon. #TeamRAVENous
— Cheryl Burke (@CherylBurke) October 1, 2019
During the September 30 show, fans witnessed footage of the moment Lewis tore three tendons in his foot — an injury, he said, he had initially sustained during a football game in 2010. "I'm reliving a problem that I thought I'd never have to relive again," Lewis said. According to Lewis' doctor, if he had kept dancing he could have ruptured the tendons.
Fans were devastated by the news, and took to Twitter to give their condolences to Lewis and Burke.
#DWTS we will miss you #raylewis
— Barry Hidey (@ohbarry) October 1, 2019
So sad @raylewis had to drop out of the competition #DWTS
— Melinda (@mjs7037) October 1, 2019
Oh no! Ray Lewis is out of the competition with an injury; damn that sucks! Sad for him. #DWTS
— Arpita Venkatesh ????? (@orcalover93) October 1, 2019
Lewis, who will have to undergo surgery to correct the tears, gave emotional speech describing his time on the show and how much he has enjoyed getting to participate in the competition. "I've had some of the best experiences of my life on this show," he said.
Thankfully, fans didn't have to go without seeing the dance that Lewis and Burke had spent days practicing. Former Mirrorball champion and NFL running back Rashad Jennings stepped in to perform the cha cha, set to the song "Twist and Shout."
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