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Sherman Lewis, an All-American halfback at Michigan State who won four Super Bowl championships during a long and successful career in coaching, has died. He was 83.
Michigan State confirmed Lewis' death Saturday.
Lewis played three seasons at Michigan State, from 1961-63, and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting his senior year when he was a consensus All-American. He finished behind Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach and runner-up Billy Lothridge.
Lewis rushed for 16 touchdowns in his three seasons at Michigan State, averaging 6.2 yards a carry.
After college, he went on to have a brief playing career in the Canadian Football League, before turning to coaching. He joined Daugherty's staff at Michigan State in 1969, and remained on staff through 1982, under Daughtery's successors, including Denny Stolz, Darryl Rogers and Muddy Waters.
Lewis then made the jump to the NFL coaching ranks, with the San Francisco 49ers in 1983. He first was a running-backs coach, then a receivers coach. He won three Super Bowl titles with the 49ers.
In 1992, he became offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, staying until 1999, and winning another Super Bowl championship, the fourth and final one of his career.
He later was offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings (2000-01) and Lions (2003-04), reuniting in Detroit with his old colleague in Green Bay, Steve Mariucci.
Lewis' last coaching job was an offensive consultant for the Washington football team in 2009.
In 2023, Lewis was honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame with an award of excellence.
Lewis never did get the opportunity to be a head coach, which baffled many of his former players and former colleagues throughout the years. It ate at Lewis at times, too.
"We won Super Bowls in San Francisco and one in Green Bay," Lewis told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2015. "And I got to work with some great coaches and players. No question I wished I had the chance to be a head coach. But looking back, I did all I could. I was disappointed, but I'm not going to hang my hat on that.
"I had a great career and was fortunate to coach in the NFL."
Lewis was inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001, calling it "one of the greatest honors I've ever had." He was a captain of the football team as well as the track-and-field team, which he joined his sophomore year. He won a Big Ten championship in the long jump and 300-yard dash.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1942, Lewis played parts of two seasons in the CFL and parts of two seasons in the AFL. In the old AFL with the New York Jets, he played on defense and on special teams, recovering two fumbles.
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Sherman Lewis, Michigan State icon who won 4 Super Bowls, dies at 83
Continue reading...
Michigan State confirmed Lewis' death Saturday.
Lewis played three seasons at Michigan State, from 1961-63, and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting his senior year when he was a consensus All-American. He finished behind Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach and runner-up Billy Lothridge.
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Lewis rushed for 16 touchdowns in his three seasons at Michigan State, averaging 6.2 yards a carry.
After college, he went on to have a brief playing career in the Canadian Football League, before turning to coaching. He joined Daugherty's staff at Michigan State in 1969, and remained on staff through 1982, under Daughtery's successors, including Denny Stolz, Darryl Rogers and Muddy Waters.
Lewis then made the jump to the NFL coaching ranks, with the San Francisco 49ers in 1983. He first was a running-backs coach, then a receivers coach. He won three Super Bowl titles with the 49ers.
In 1992, he became offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, staying until 1999, and winning another Super Bowl championship, the fourth and final one of his career.
He later was offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings (2000-01) and Lions (2003-04), reuniting in Detroit with his old colleague in Green Bay, Steve Mariucci.
Lewis' last coaching job was an offensive consultant for the Washington football team in 2009.
In 2023, Lewis was honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame with an award of excellence.
Lewis never did get the opportunity to be a head coach, which baffled many of his former players and former colleagues throughout the years. It ate at Lewis at times, too.
"We won Super Bowls in San Francisco and one in Green Bay," Lewis told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2015. "And I got to work with some great coaches and players. No question I wished I had the chance to be a head coach. But looking back, I did all I could. I was disappointed, but I'm not going to hang my hat on that.
"I had a great career and was fortunate to coach in the NFL."
Lewis was inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001, calling it "one of the greatest honors I've ever had." He was a captain of the football team as well as the track-and-field team, which he joined his sophomore year. He won a Big Ten championship in the long jump and 300-yard dash.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1942, Lewis played parts of two seasons in the CFL and parts of two seasons in the AFL. In the old AFL with the New York Jets, he played on defense and on special teams, recovering two fumbles.
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Sherman Lewis, Michigan State icon who won 4 Super Bowls, dies at 83
Continue reading...
