Even though I grew up a 49ers fan, I am a fan of other players on other teams. It’s hard not to be a fan of other players because there are so many talents and personalities that you just can’t get enough of.

For me, the above two players are two of my favorites of all time. There’s a certain mystique about both Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

With Reed, his ball-hawking skills continue to amaze me. Even though he’s fallen off a little this year, if you look at his overall career, you can’t ignore the kind of impact he’s had on the game. He’s a game changer and one of the very few NFL players I am always cheering for no matter who they’re playing.

He’s been through a lot in his life, including the loss of his brother two years ago and his contemplation of stepping away from the game.

Plus, he went to The U, which makes him even cooler in my book. This is his first Super Bowl.

Lewis is another former Hurricane that is also very hard to ignore. The passion and intensity that he brings to the field is something I enjoy watching so much. Even when he speaks, he is such a vocal leader.

Being that his is his retirement year, I really want to see him get a ring. Even during the season after watching A Football Life (see above video), I felt that if the 49ers didn’t win the Super Bowl, I would love for the Ravens to do it. Lewis has gone through so much and he deserves one more shot at it.

Of course, there will always be criticism of that murder case back from more than a decade ago. I am not giving Lewis any praise for that, but since then, he has been a good person and has been out of trouble. I am not going to ignore his past but looking at what he is now, I am glad he’s a better man.

Both Lewis and Reed embody a lot of things I like in football players. They are game changers with big hearts and a passion. They may not be perfect, but every time I watch them on the field, they sure play like they can never do wrong.

I want the 49ers to win the Super Bowl but if they don’t, I’ll be OK with it because two of my favorite players of all time will be on top.