Sherman Lewis, Former NFL Player and Coach, Passes Away at 83

Sherman Lewis, known for his role as a defensive back and return specialist for the Jets during the AFL era, has died at the age of 83. His passing was announced on Friday.

Michigan State University confirmed the news, where Lewis achieved All-American status as a running back in 1963.

“We are heartbroken to learn about Sherman Lewis’s death,” the university stated. “He earned first-team All-American recognition in 1963 and later served as an assistant coach at MSU before an impressive coaching career in the NFL that included four Super Bowl titles. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family.”

Lewis played for the Jets in the 1966 and 1967 seasons and enjoyed a 26-year coaching career in the NFL, during which he won four Super Bowl rings.

Three of those championships came while he was the running backs coach under Bill Walsh with the 49ers in the 1980s. His fourth title added to his accomplishments in 1996 when he was the offensive coordinator for the Packers, working under Mike Holmgren for eight seasons.

Interestingly, Lewis never held a head coaching position in the league.

Following his time in Green Bay, he spent two years each as offensive coordinator in Minnesota and Detroit, ultimately wrapping up his NFL career with Washington in 2009.

Before making the jump to the NFL, Lewis dedicated 14 years as an assistant coach at his alma mater.

During his time at Michigan State, he recorded 1,566 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns across three seasons.

He was recognized as a team captain and earned All-American honors in 1963, also finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Roger Staubach and Billy Lothridge. Besides football, Lewis excelled in track and field, clinching Big Ten championships in the long jump and 300-yard dash.

In 2001, he was inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame.

Interestingly, Lewis was picked by the Jets in the ninth round of the 1964 AFL Draft and by the Browns in the 18th round of the 1964 NFL Draft. He initially played two seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders before joining the Jets.