Baltimore's legendary linebacker Ray Lewis will be officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer, and all the Ravens will make the trip as well.
The Ravens will kick off the NFL's preseason slate by playing in the Hall of Fame Game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 8 p.m.
It's the first time the Ravens will ever play in Canton in the franchise's 22 years of existence. The game is played at the historic Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
The Hall of Fame Game launches the 2018 Enshrinement Week and takes place two days before the Class of 2018 is enshrined into the Hall.
It's a matchup between the former teams of the two first-ballot inside linebackers, Lewis and Brian Urlacher. Urlacher played for the Bears from 2000-2012, and he and Lewis were often compared to each other throughout their careers. Urlacher gives Lewis the nod.
"I think I am pretty good, but Ray is the best of all-time," Urlacher told the NFL Network in 2013.
Playing in the Hall of Fame game adds a fifth preseason contest to the Ravens' schedule. It also means Baltimore will be able to start training camp as early as July 18.
While it will be the Ravens' first time playing the Hall of Fame Game, it's the Bears' fifth. Chicago has a 4-0 record in previous trips to Canton with wins in 2005, 1990, 1977 and 1968.
In 2013, when Ravens left tackle Jonathan Ogden went into the Hall of Fame, the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys kicked off the preseason. That year, Cowboys guard Larry Allen and Dolphins Head Coach Bill Parcells went into the Hall.
Official Ticket Packages for the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week are on sale now at hofexperiences.com or by calling 844-751-0532. A variety of ticket packages provide fans with VIP experiences, premium seating and parties with Hall of Famers. Packages range from event day offerings to four-day experiences that include many exclusive extras.
Individual tickets to the 2018 Hall of Fame Game and Enshrinement Ceremony will go on sale Friday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. ET and will be available at profootballhof.com/tickets.
