Sherman Lewis, a defensive again and returner for the Jets throughout their AFL days who had an extended profession as an NFL assistant coach, died on Friday. He was 83.
Lewis’ demise was confirmed by Michigan State College, the place he was an All-American working again in 1963.
“We’re deeply saddened to be taught of the passing of Sherman Lewis,” the college wrote in an announcement. “Lewis, a first-team All-American in 1963, served as an assistant coach at MSU earlier than a adorned NFL teaching profession that included 4 Tremendous Bowl titles. We ship our deepest condolences to the Lewis household.”
Lewis, who performed for the Jets in 1966 and ’67, received 4 Tremendous Bowls all through his 26-year teaching profession within the NFL.
He received three of these titles with the 49ers within the Eighties as a working backs coach underneath head coach Invoice Walsh. Lewis added his fourth ring in 1996 when he held the offensive coordinator function for the Packers as part of Mike Holmgren’s workers for eight seasons.
Nonetheless, Lewis by no means held a head teaching job within the league.
After Inexperienced Bay, he went on to spend time in Minnesota and Detroit — every for 2 years — as offensive coordinator.
He spent his closing NFL season with Washington in 2009.
Earlier than taking his huge profession step to the NFL, Lewis was an assistant coach for his alma mater throughout 14 years.
As a Spartan, he rushed for 1,566 yards with 16 touchdowns throughout three seasons.
He served as a captain and received All-American honors in 1963. He additionally completed third within the Heisman Trophy voting, trailing Navy’s Roger Staubach and Georgia Tech’s Billy Lothridge. Outdoors of soccer, Lewis additionally received Large Ten championships within the lengthy bounce and 300-yard sprint as a observe and subject star.
In 2001, Lewis was inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Corridor of Fame.
Lewis was taken by the Jets within the ninth spherical of the 1964 AFL Draft, and by the Browns within the 18th spherical of the 1964 NFL Draft. He performed two seasons within the Canadian Soccer League for the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders earlier than taking part in for the Jets.
