Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis is intimidating enough as a legendary middle linebacker, but his Super Bowl equipment has made him even more terrifying and has earned him comparisons to some of Hollywood’s great villains.

BaltimoreRavens.com’s Ryan Mink took note of the facemask and also added that it is the same style of helmet New York Giants defensive lineman Justin Tuck has used in the past. 

However, Mink points out an important difference—the visor. With a full cage covering almost all of his face, Lewis could have opted to show only his eyes to the San Francisco 49ers, but he went in a different direction. 

Instead, he used a darkly tinted visor, which takes the look from Bane (h/t to Instagram user ChuckyVelvet), to Darth Vader. 

The facemask certainly has some practical use. With bars and a visor that completely cover his face, Lewis is in no danger of having another player accidentally poke him in the eye. 

However, Lewis did just recover from a torn triceps muscle in less than three months, and a poke in the eye is likely pretty low on his list of concerns during Super Bowl XLVII.

Intimidation is almost certainly his primary motivation with this look. It will certainly work on the general public, as most spectators are surely glad they are far away from Lewis on the field and in the safety of their own homes. 

But will it work on other professional football players? That remains to be seen, but from Lewis’ perspective he has nothing to lose. He has the added safety of several extra bars, and if it happens to make him that much scarier, then this is an added bonus. 

Lewis has set the benchmark for intensity and intimidation throughout his NFL career. Regardless of what happens in his final game, at least he found a look worthy of his reputation.