Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing: a reflection of his boyhood hero Ray Lewis – NFL News
Houston Texans' linebacker, Brian Cushing, has spoken high of his boyhood hero and counterpart, Ray Lewis, the Baltimore Ravens' linebacker, as they confront each other in the first Ravens-Texans' playoff game, this Sunday, January 15, 2012.
Cushing was eight years old and in third grade when his ideal, Lewis, emerged in the National Football League (NFL), as a professional football player, back in 1996.
He however, himself has grown up to be just like his ideal as a professional while playing the role of a linebacker with the Houston Texans, who have reached the playoff round for the first time in the franchise's history.
“Ray’s the best that’s ever played”, Cushing said.
“He’s the guy I grew up watching. He’s the guy I wanted to model my game after”.
However, despite all the respect and admiration he has for his role model, Cushing stated that he was ready to face off with Lewis in their weekend game and apparently looks ready to live up to the challenge.
Just like Lewis, Cushing has turned out to be one the best linebackers in the league, being an All-Pro and the team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) this past season.
Cushing ‘s record includes two sacks, 114 tackles, a couple of interceptions and four forced fumbles, and has been again the highlight of the impressive performance and progress shown by the Texans in the 2011 NFL regular season.
The team has, for the first time in their franchise history, claimed the American Football Conference (AFC) South Division title and reached the playoff round of the postseason.
Cushing has been lucky to have avoided injury related problems and contributed to the team’s wins while continuing to play throughout the season.
Houston otherwise, is riddled with injury problems.
A number of their key players, especially quarterbacks, have been ruled out due to their respective injuries.
The team management has backed Cushing for his consistence in good performance. However, nothing will matter for him as much as words endorsing his performance from his ideal, Ray Lewis himself.
The Raven’s linebacker has come out with an approval for Cushing's skills, terming the player like him while stating that he has the special ability to perform well at the position and that it could be a plus point for any team.
“I just think he plays with a very, very, very high motor”, Lewis said of Cushing.
“It’s one special thing that every linebacker, a good linebacker, has to have. And that is one thing that I appreciate about the way he plays football”.
Both the players are facing each other in Baltimore on the weekend, looking to have an edge over each other and stand out in their performances, contributing to their teams must win situations.
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