Mo Lewis and the Tackle That Changed NFL History

Back in 2001, a tackle made by Mo Lewis altered the trajectory of the NFL. Lewis, who had his entire career with the New York Jets, delivered a hit to then-New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe. This hit not only forced Bledsoe to sit out but also opened the door for Tom Brady, who then seized the opportunity and never looked back. Bledsoe’s absence would forever change the course of the Patriots’ dynasty.

While many point to Lewis as the catalyst behind Brady’s rise, the retired linebacker believes the credit should go to Bledsoe himself. In a book titled *Brady vs. Belichick* by NFL reporter Gary Myers, Lewis reflected on the circumstances surrounding that fateful moment. He noted Bledsoe’s decision to scramble rather than stay in the pocket, which Lewis suggests contributed to the play’s outcome.

“What type of quarterback just signed a $100 million deal? A passing quarterback, right?” Lewis remarked. “If he wasn’t running with the ball, would we even be discussing this? The guy with the ball caused the event.” He emphasized that, fundamentally, Bledsoe was venturing outside of what he was meant to do as a passer, which made the situation more complex for everyone involved.

Lewis noted he was simply doing his job, tackling the player who was trying to advance the ball. Though Bledsoe’s play was deemed legal, it’s often remembered for the force of Lewis’s hit. After retiring in 2003, Lewis mostly stepped away from the limelight, choosing to keep a lower profile, particularly concerning the Jets.

According to former teammates who spoke with ESPN, Lewis’s reluctance to engage with media highlights a lingering focus on that significant tackle rather than his complete career. Lewis received first-team All-Pro honors in 1998 and was a three-time Pro Bowler, accolades that reflect his talent on the field.

Interestingly, Lewis claimed that the fallout from the tackle didn’t really impact him personally. “That’s really irrelevant to me,” he said, indicating it was just another play for him. “For everyone else, it may have changed history, but I’ve never watched it again. If people want to talk about it, I’m not hiding.”

As for Brady, he would go on to win six Super Bowl titles with the Patriots and later added a seventh with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after leaving the franchise in 2019.