Breaking: On July 4th, Netflix will release “The Underdog,” a much-anticipated documentary on Ray Lewis, the legendary Baltimore Raven.

In what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated sports documentaries in recent memory, Netflix announced that it will release “The Underdog” on July 4th — a deeply personal and dramatic look at Ray Lewis, the legendary linebacker who defined an era for the Baltimore Ravens and left an indelible mark on the NFL.

Timed for release on Independence Day, the choice of date feels symbolic. Few athletes in American sports history have embodied the fight for redemption, perseverance through adversity, and unapologetic passion like Ray Lewis. His story is one of intensity, controversy, triumph, and legacy—and “The Underdog” promises to cover it all.

Ray Lewis’s name is synonymous with greatness. As the face of the Baltimore Ravens for 17 seasons, he is widely considered one of the greatest linebackers to ever play football. A two-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, 13-time Pro Bowler, and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Lewis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

But statistics only tell part of his story. The core of Lewis’s legacy lies in his emotional leadership, unmatched work ethic, and fiery charisma. He transformed the middle linebacker position, combining old-school toughness with modern-day speed and intelligence. Whether he was stuffing a running back at the line of scrimmage or delivering a rousing locker room speech, Ray Lewis was always the pulse of his team.

Netflix’s “The Underdog” looks to go beyond the highlight reels and Hall of Fame speeches, diving deep into the forces that shaped Lewis’s journey—from a troubled childhood in Lakeland, Florida, to becoming the heart and soul of a championship team.

“The Underdog” has reportedly been in development for over three years, with filming taking place in Florida, Baltimore, and various other cities significant to Lewis’s life. Sources close to the project say the documentary will feature never-before-seen footage, intimate interviews, and unfiltered commentary from Lewis himself.

The production is being handled by Mandalay Sports Media, the same company behind critically acclaimed sports documentaries like “The Last Dance” and “Kobe Bryant’s Muse.” Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Lauren Greenfield, the documentary will blend cinematic storytelling with raw, emotional interviews to create what Netflix is calling “the definitive story of one of football’s most misunderstood warriors.”

Executive producers include Ray Lewis, LeBron James (via SpringHill Company), and Brian Grazer, with Netflix betting big on the draw of this complex, emotional narrative. Given the success of previous athlete-focused docuseries on the platform, expectations are high for this one to resonate far beyond football fans.

One of the key themes of “The Underdog” is likely to be redemption, a word often associated with Ray Lewis. His career was almost permanently derailed in 2000, when he was charged with murder following a fatal altercation outside a nightclub in Atlanta. Lewis eventually pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and agreed to testify against others involved, but the incident forever changed how the public viewed him.

In the two decades since, Lewis has redefined his image, evolving from a polarizing figure into a respected elder statesman of the game. His on-field dominance helped, but his work in the community, motivational speaking, and spiritual transformation have also contributed to his redemption arc.

This transformation is expected to be a focal point in the documentary. A Netflix press release hinted at scenes where Lewis revisits old neighborhoods, discusses the emotional weight of the 2000 incident, and reflects on the fragility of reputation in a media-driven world.

“This isn’t just a story about football. It’s about pain, faith, loss, and the power of second chances,” said Greenfield in a behind-the-scenes clip released ahead of the premiere.

Another major component of the documentary will be Lewis’s relationship with the city of Baltimore, where he spent his entire NFL career. Drafted in 1996, Lewis became the cornerstone of a Ravens franchise still searching for its identity. By the time he retired after winning Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, he was not just a football star—he was a civic icon, revered by fans for his loyalty and commitment to the city.

“The Underdog” will include interviews with former teammates and coaches, including Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Shannon Sharpe, John Harbaugh, and others who witnessed firsthand Lewis’s impact on and off the field. Ravens fans are expected to be especially emotional during sequences covering the 2000 Super Bowl run—when the defense allowed just 165 total points all season—as well as the fairytale ending in 2013, when Lewis announced his retirement and helped guide the team to another title.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and former Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome also reportedly participated in filming, lending civic and organizational perspectives to Lewis’s towering presence in Charm City.

While fans know Ray Lewis the linebacker, “The Underdog” intends to show Ray Lewis the man. Viewers can expect to learn more about his complicated upbringing, including being raised by a single mother and enduring childhood trauma that would shape his inner fire. The documentary reportedly includes interviews with Lewis’s children, shedding light on his role as a father and his views on black fatherhood, faith, and mental health.

Lewis, known for quoting scripture and offering impassioned prayers before and after games, has often credited his Christian faith for pulling him out of dark periods in his life. Expect faith to play a significant narrative thread throughout the film.

A portion of the documentary will also focus on Lewis’s post-football life, including his ventures into broadcasting with ESPN, his sometimes controversial motivational speaking gigs, and his ongoing charitable efforts through the Ray Lewis 52 Foundation, which supports disadvantaged youth.

One question lingering before every high-profile athlete documentary is whether it will go beyond the surface to address uncomfortable truths. Netflix is reportedly committed to tackling the 2000 Atlanta incident head-on, providing both historical context and emotional depth.

According to one source familiar with the production, Lewis breaks down in tears during one segment where he speaks to a group of at-risk youth about making “split-second decisions” that can change lives forever.

“There is no Ray Lewis story without addressing what happened that night in Atlanta,” said a Netflix spokesperson. “We don’t sanitize his story. We let him tell it in his own words, and we let viewers form their own conclusions.”

This unflinching honesty could be what separates “The Underdog” from typical sports documentaries that border on hagiography. In embracing both the demons and the divinity within Lewis, Netflix aims to present a fully dimensional portrait of a man who lived a very public life in the arena—but carried private burdens the public rarely saw.

The decision to release “The Underdog” on Independence Day appears calculated. It frames Ray Lewis’s story as a uniquely American saga—one rooted in struggle, sacrifice, resilience, and ultimately, freedom from past labels.

The documentary will be available to stream at 12:00 a.m. PST / 3:00 a.m. EST on Netflix, and early reactions from critics who attended private screenings in Los Angeles and New York have been overwhelmingly positive.

“Emotionally powerful and brutally honest,” wrote one critic for The Ringer. “If you thought you knew Ray Lewis, think again.”

Social media buzz is already building, and with the NFL offseason in full swing by early July, the timing gives Netflix a clear lane to dominate the sports conversation leading into training camp season.

Ray Lewis is not a typical documentary subject because his life has not followed a typical arc. His legacy cannot be measured by rings or tackles alone—it must be viewed through the prism of human complexity.

In telling his story, “The Underdog” aims to illuminate more than the life of a football legend. It hopes to inspire viewers to confront their own flaws, pursue their own comebacks, and believe that no matter where you start, greatness is still possible.

As the Fourth of July nears, so does the long-awaited unveiling of a film that promises to remind us all that sometimes the most unlikely stories are the most powerful. Ray Lewis, the underdog who became a champion, is ready to share his truth with the world.

And this time, it’s all on his terms.