The Raven
On January 31, 2000, just hours after Super Bowl XXXIV, Baltimore Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis and a group of friends got into an altercation outside of a club in Atlanta’s affluent Buckhead neighborhood. Within seconds, two men -- Richard Lollar and Jacinth Baker -- were dead in the street.
Lewis and two friends, Joseph Sweeting and Reginald Oakley, were charged with murder. A media frenzy ensued, but in the end, all three defendants walked free.
Less than a year after the killings, Lewis became a Super Bowl champion. He ended his Hall of Fame career with another title in 2013, and is widely regarded as the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history. He has made millions on and off the field since 2000 and always professed his innocence, but the victim's families still believe there’s more to the story.
Host Tim Livingston ('Whistleblower') investigates the double homicide, one of the most infamous crimes in sports history, and unveils new evidence that paints a vivid picture of what happened that tragic night in Atlanta. Football, murder, and the man in the middle... this is 'The Raven'.
Our Editor's Take
The Raven podcast investigates what happened on the streets of Atlanta after Super Bowl XXXIV. Ray Lewis is one of the greatest NFL players of all time. But as his career was taking off, he became embroiled in a double murder trial at the start of the millennium. This true crime podcast explores the case that changed the Baltimore Ravens star's life forever.
Sports journalist Tim Livingston hosts the program. He started the Whistleblower podcast to investigate professional sports scandals, including NBA betting. With The Raven, Livingston turns his attention to the NFL.
The podcast covers facts and events surrounding the murders in vivid detail. Livingston reports on his research and findings with intensity. Throughout the series, he uncovers evidence and interviews key witnesses in the trial. The show raises clear questions about the case and attempts to answer them. What could've happened to Lewi'ss white suit, which was never found that night? Where were the murder weapons? How did one of the victim's blood end up in Lewi's limo? The Raven peels back the layers of the potential coverup with meticulous precision.
The show also explores what happened in the aftermath of the murders. Lewis won two Super Bowls for the Ravens and retired in Baltimore. He also settled out of court with the victim's families. The Raven raises questions about justice, especially in a murky case like this one. How can we know what's right and wrong when we may never have all the facts? Should those involved be more upfront about what happened that night?
Across all episodes, Livingston encourages listeners to examine the facts. They may determine their own conclusions after listening to the details and unanswered questions. The Raven podcast originally aired in early 2024. It released eight episodes, each about 30 to 40 minutes in length. The podcast was featured in major news sources as it renewed interest in the case.
Episodes