Mo Lewis facts for kids

Morris Clyde Lewis III (born October 21, 1969), known as Mo Lewis, is a former professional football player. He played as a linebacker for 13 seasons with the New York Jets in the National Football League (NFL). Lewis was a top player, chosen for the Pro Bowl three times and named a first-team All-Pro once. He is also part of the Jets All-Time Four Decade Team.

Mo Lewis is also well-known for a hit he made in 2001. This hit injured New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe. This event led to Tom Brady becoming the Patriots' starting quarterback, which started a very successful period for the team.

Mo Lewis's Football Career

Mo Lewis was a standout player at the University of Georgia. He wore the number 57, which he also used during his professional career. He played 200 games for the New York Jets, which is one of the longest times anyone has played for the team.

Lewis was a popular player and a team captain for the Jets from 1997 to 2003. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Being a "Pro Bowler" means he was chosen as one of the best players in the NFL for those years. He was also named to the NFL All-Pro team after the 1998 season, which means he was considered one of the very best players at his position in the entire league.

Lewis retired after the 2003 season. During his career, he made 1,231 tackles, which is when a defensive player stops an offensive player. He also had 52.5 sacks, which is when a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. He made 14 interceptions, catching passes meant for the other team. He also forced 29 fumbles and scored five defensive touchdowns.

Impact on NFL History

Even though Mo Lewis had a great career, many people remember him most for one specific play. This play helped start a very successful period for the New England Patriots football team.

In 2001, during a game against the Patriots, Lewis made a strong but fair tackle on their quarterback, Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe was trying to run for a first down when Lewis hit him. This hit caused a serious injury to Bledsoe's chest.

Because of this injury, Tom Brady, who was a backup quarterback at the time, stepped in to finish the game. Brady then became the Patriots' starting quarterback. Bledsoe never got his starting job back and was traded to another team later.

With Tom Brady as their quarterback, the Patriots went on to win 11 of their next 14 games that season. They ended up winning their first Super Bowl championship on February 3, 2002.

Over the next 20 years, the Patriots, led by Tom Brady, won six Super Bowl titles. Brady himself won a seventh Super Bowl with another team. Because of this, Mo Lewis's hit on Drew Bledsoe is often seen as a major turning point in NFL history. It even appeared on the NFL's list of 100 greatest game-changing moments.

Personal Life

Mo Lewis and his wife, Christalyn, live in Atlanta, Georgia. They have two sons.