Ray Lewis III, affectionately known as Ray Ray, captured the hearts of fans with his dynamic play on the gridiron before his untimely death at 28 from a drug overdose. Posthumous examinations revealed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head impacts.
His mother, Tatyana McCall‑Wimberley, opened up to News 6 about the family's decision to transform grief into purpose, establishing the RL3 Foundation to educate the public about CTE and to champion a drug‑free lifestyle among young people.
A weekend of events across Central Florida
The foundation's inaugural weekend will feature a CTE Sneaker Ball, Ray Ray’s Camp for Kids, and a Music Fest, each taking place in different municipalities throughout Central Florida. Communities in Orlando, Lake Mary, Apopka, and Altamonte Springs will open their doors to families, coaches, and artists eager to participate in the conversation.
Beyond the festivities, the RL3 Foundation aims to influence the lives of aspiring athletes, musical artists, and youth across the nation. By partnering with schools, sports organizations, and creative collectives, the initiative seeks to embed preventive education about brain health and substance abuse into everyday training and mentorship.
The broader issue of CTE remains a pressing concern for athletes in contact sports, where the risk of repeated concussions is high. Awareness campaigns like this one strive to shift cultural attitudes, encouraging early symptom recognition and proactive health management before the disease progresses.
For those interested in learning more about the foundation's mission, upcoming events, or ways to contribute, detailed information is available on the RL3 Foundation's website.