Leo Lewis (running back) facts for kids
| Date of birth: | February 4, 1933 |
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| Place of birth: | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Date of death: | August 30, 2013 (aged 80) |
| Place of death: | Columbia, Missouri |
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Career information
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| CFL status: | Import |
| Position(s): | RB |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight: | 196 lb (89 kg) |
| College: | Lincoln (MO) |
| NFL Draft: | 1955 / Round: 6 / Pick: 64 |
| Drafted by: | Baltimore Colts |
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Organizations
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Career highlights and awards
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| CFL All-Star: | 1962 |
| CFL West All-Star: | 1955, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964 |
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Career stats
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Canadian Football Hall of Fame, 1973
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Leo Everett Lewis Jr. (born February 4, 1933 – died August 30, 2013) was an American football player and coach. He played college football at Lincoln University from 1951 to 1954. Later, he played professionally for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1955 to 1966. After his playing career, he coached football at Lincoln University from 1973 to 1975.
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Leo Lewis's Football Journey
College Football Career
Leo Lewis was an amazing halfback at Lincoln University. People called him "The Lincoln Locomotive" because he was so fast. He set many records for his school. He scored 22 touchdowns in one season. He also scored 64 touchdowns during his whole college career. He ran for 1,239 yards in a single season. Overall, he gained 4,457 rushing yards.
Playing in the CFL
After college, Leo Lewis joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was chosen as an All-Pro player six times. He also helped the Blue Bombers win the Grey Cup championship four times. He missed the 1956 season because of a serious ankle injury.
During his 11 years in the CFL, he ran for 8,861 yards. This was a Blue Bombers record for 41 years. He was also great at returning kicks. He averaged 29.1 yards on kickoff returns. His records for return yardage and yards per carry still stand today.
Coaching Career Highlights
After playing football, Leo Lewis became a coach. He worked as an assistant coach at Hickman High School. Then, he returned to his old college, Lincoln University, in 1968. He started as an assistant football coach there.
In 1973, he became the head football coach at Lincoln. He coached the Lincoln Blue Tigers for three seasons. He also coached the women's basketball team from 1981 to 1993. He even served as the interim athletic director for a time.
Honors and Awards
Leo Lewis received many honors for his amazing career.
- In 1973, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
- In 2005, he joined the College Football Hall of Fame.
- He was named one of the "20 All-Time Blue Bombers Greats" in 2005. This was to celebrate the team's 75th anniversary.
- He was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 2005.
- In 2018, he joined the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
- The Missouri Sports Hall Of Fame welcomed him in 2019.
Leo Lewis's Family
Leo Lewis had three children. Two of his sons also became professional football players.
- Leo Lewis III played as a wide receiver. He played for the Calgary Stampeders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL. He also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL).
- Marc Lewis was also a wide receiver. He played in the United States Football League (USFL) for the Denver Gold and Oakland Invaders. He also played for the CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders and the Calgary Stampeders.
Leo Lewis passed away on August 30, 2013, at his home in Columbia, Missouri. He had been sick for some time.
