Ray Romano Shares Letter Muhammad Ali Sent After 'Favors' Episode

In Everybody Loves Raymond, the ninth and final season episode "Favors" (2005) hinges on a lost letter from Muhammad Ali. Robert surprises Ray with a personalized note that becomes his most prized possession, but when Debra clears out a cluttered junk drawer she unintentionally tosses the letter.

Ray returns to find the letter gone, panics and is mocked by friends, while Debra, aware of what she has done, keeps silent. Marie steps in and claims responsibility, a selfless move that soon leads to more comic complications when she asks Deb to take the fall for a separate mishap.

Romano revisited the story on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in February 2026 as part of the show's 30th-anniversary conversation. He read the brief two-sentence note used in the episode ("Your brother sent me an excellent article.

ray romano, muhammad ali, favors, lost letter, robert barone, debra barone, marie barone, stephen colbert, late show, 30th anniversary