Sherman Lewis

After playing college ball at Michigan State where he was an All-American and third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1963, Sherman Lewis was drafted by both the AFL and NFL in 1964. The New York Jets drafted Lewis in the 9th round, while the Cleveland Browns took him in the 18th round. The diminuative Lewis (heights reported vary from 5 foot 7 to 5 foot 9, and maxing out at around 157 pounds) choose instead to come to the CFL and the Toronto Argonauts in 1964 mainly because the Argos would give him a shot at running back while the NFL and AFL wanted him as a receiver. Lewis, played 11 games at runninb back for the double blue in 1964, and 1 game in 1965 before being released when the Argos added Larry Ferguson from Edmonton. Lewis was picked up by Saskatchewan, but played only one game for them. Following his playing career, Lewis embarked on a long coaching career that started as an assistant coach at his former school of Michicgan State. Lewis went on to be an assistant coach in the NFL with Green Bay, San Francisoj, Detroit, Minnesota and the Washington Redskins. Lewis was one of the first African-Americans to hold down an offensive coordinator role in the NFL when he joined the Packers in 1992. Despite his success and the accolades he received for his work, the head coaching opportunity always seemed to pass him by.

Sherman Lewis in Wikipedia

Sherman Lewis on fanbase.com

Lewis Stars in Michigan State Win - October 13, 1962

Lewis Named Back of Week - November 21, 1963

Lewis Signs With Toronto - May 2, 1964

Lewis has 101 yard run in Exibition Game - July 27, 1965

Riders Add Sherman Lewis - August 18, 1965

Lewis Blasts Canadian Football - July 22, 1966

Lewis Set to Become Coordinator under Holmgrom in Green Bay- January 10, 1992

Disapointed Lews Remains With Packers - December 5, 1994

Lewis Loses Out on Head Coaching Job - January 12, 1999

Lewis Leaves Feeling Impressed - November 11, 2002