Ray Lewis dance origin: How NFL star's 'Squirrel Dance' entrance started and became legend

David Suggs

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Ray Lewis dance origin: How NFL star's 'Squirrel Dance' entrance started and became legend image

Kick off the Sunday shoes.

The billowing quilt that is the NFL's 100+ year existence has seen numerous dances captivate the masses. There are recent additions, like the Griddy and the Waddle. There are throwback classics, like the Cabbage Patch and the Tootsie Roll. And then there are those that have escaped the clutches of history to become ever-present parts of footballing lore.

It is within that context that Ray Lewis' "Squirrel" dance takes its place.

The former Ravens star created a whole heap of memories on the field, stringing together a legendary career speckled with seven All-Pro selections, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, two Super Bowl rings and eventual enshrinement into the Football Hall of Fame.

And yet, if you ask people of a certain generation, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more iconic image of Lewis than him gyrating back-and-forth before launching a yell into the stratosphere prior to games.

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That just how Lewis operated. He wasn't just one of the game's greatest defenders. He was also one of its best-ever showmen. Nothing epitomizes that more than his celebration — one that continues to stand the test of time.

Ray Lewis entrance dance

You probably know Ray-Ray's iconic entrance dance, having seen it mimicked a countless number of times but some of his footballing disciples. For those still wondering what such a maneuver could look like, here's a clip. Be prepared to be amazed.

Ray Lewis dance origin

The "Squirrel Dance" was no accident. Rather, it was a meticulously cultivated gesture, one that owes its roots to one of Lewis' closest childhood friends.

Here's the story of the jig that took over the sports world. Kirby Lee, one of Lewis' best friends from his hometown of Barlow, Florida, conjured up the choreography as a kid. It had the whole city jumping, prompting Lewis and friends to dub it "The Squirrel", as they felt it was eerily similar to the movements the medium-sized rodent makes.

The name and gesture stuck with Lewis for some time. He was a child of motion, after all, having started a dancing crew with some local pals at the age of 13. He knew he could bust a move. He made sure to let everyone else know, too.

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"I was there when they started that nonsense," former Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis said in a 2018 ESPN article. "We couldn't learn how to get lined up, but we could choreograph a dance. I almost melted down on the sideline."

It took some doing for Lewis to get his whole routine in order. Initially, he would do the dance without a backing track. I'm pretty sure that qualifies as heresy by today's standards.

Eventually, though he settled on a tune to accompany his whirl. It also happened to be a fixture of Southern rap at the time: Nelly's "Hot in Here."

Additionally, Lewis made sure to precede every iteration of his waltz by ripping a chunk of terrain out of the earth. It was a nod to "Gladiator", the Ridley Scott-directed epic that came out in 2000. In the film, main character Maximus (played by Russell Crowe) tosses dirt to the side before every battle — an indication that he was ready for war.

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The dance — and the mystique that surrounds it — has made it one of sport's most indelible compositions. The proof is in the pudding. From baseball to soccer, it seems athletes just can't get enough of Lewis' move.

How to do Ray Lewis dance

The Squirrel Dance may look complicated. It's actually quite simple, though. It revolves around a few basic tenets.

  1. Slide to the left, sidling across the surface like you're scaling a mountain.
  2. Shimmy back to the right. Don't forget to get your hips into it.
  3. Flutter your legs back and forth. The more trembling, the better.
  4. Pop your s—. And your chest. Two should suffice.
  5. In the words of Terror Squad, "Lean Back."
  6. Let it all out. Scream to your heart's desire...or until your voice grows hoarse and weary. It's your choice.

Add whatever alterations you see fit to make it work within your own personal context. Just make sure to give credit to the men who made it all happen: Lewis and his hometown boy, Kirby Lee.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.