During the week of his team's most ferocious rivalry, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis delivered a text message to an unlikely source: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. "We always (text) each other," Lewis said Wednesday during a conference call to Pittsburgh reporters. "Simple stuff. He wishes he was out there. It's a respect thing that we have, playing against each other." Roethlisberger made his NFL debut against the Ravens in the second game of his rookie season in 2004, a 30-13 loss. In the second meeting between the teams that season, Roethlisberger passed for 221 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-7 win. Roethlisberger and Lewis have been friendly rivals ever since. "The game always takes care of itself," Lewis said. "But off the field, if we don't look after each other, no one else will." "You're not trying to please the world," Lewis said. "If you're trying to please the world, you're going to confuse yourself. All he can do is move on. Whatever he put behind him as a man, leave it there. Once it's done, it's done." Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward also texted Roethlisberger Tuesday. "I said, 'One more week. Hang in there'," Ward said. "It's bigger than (football). Just show him that we're here for him, and we're going to welcome him when he comes back." Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
