Mo Lewis

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Mo Lewis
No. 57
Position:
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:258 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High school:Murphy (Atlanta)
College:Georgia
NFL draft:1991 / Round: 3 / Pick: 63
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:
14
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Morris Clyde Lewis III (born October 21, 1969) is an American former professional

1991 NFL Draft.[1] He was named to three Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro during his career, in addition to being a member of the Jets All-Time Four Decade Team. His accomplishments, however, would be overshadowed by him injuring New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe in 2001, which inadvertently began a dynasty for the Patriots when they relieved Bledsoe with Tom Brady
.

Career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Bench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m)
240 lb
(109 kg)
32+12 in
(0.83 m)
9+78 in
(0.25 m)
20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[2]

Lewis was a star at the University of Georgia, wearing the number 57 as he would in his pro career. Lewis played 200 games as a Jet, the third-longest tenure in franchise history, and was one of the most loved team players and captains of his time. He was a three-time Pro Bowler (1998, 1999, 2000),[3] was the Jets' defensive captain from 1997 to 2003 and was named to the NFL All-Pro team after the 1998 season. Lewis retired after the 2003 season with 1,231 tackles (883 solo), 52.5 sacks, 14 interceptions for 241 yards, 79 pass deflections, 29 forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries for 74 yards and five defensive touchdowns in 200 career games.

Impact on NFL History

While Lewis had a productive career, he is best known for being the catalyst for starting the

2000 NFL Draft
, was the back-up quarterback and finished the game.

It turned out that Lewis' hit sheared a blood vessel in Bledsoe's chest, causing Bledsoe to lose a pint of blood an hour. Bledsoe would never regain his starting job (he was traded to Buffalo after the season),[5] The Patriots went 11-3 for the remainder of the season, culminating in the team's first Super Bowl title on February 3, 2002.

Over the next two decades, the Patriots won six Super Bowl titles and Brady would win a seventh in Tampa Bay. As a result, Lewis' hit on Bledsoe is often noted for its impact on NFL history.[6][7] The hit appeared on the NFL's list of 100 greatest game changers, ranking at 82.[8]

Personal life

Lewis and his wife Christalyn live in Atlanta, Georgia and have two sons.[9]

References

  1. ^ "1991 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  2. ^ "Morris Lewis, Combine Results, OLB - Georgia". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  3. ^ "Honoring Mo Lewis: New York Jets' Former Linebacker Was One for the Ages". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  4. ^ "Tom Brady, Drew Bledsoe reflect on pivotal hit 15 years later". NFL Network. September 22, 2016.
  5. ^ Sean Wickersham (September 22, 2021). "The hit that changed Tom Brady, Drew Bledsoe and the course of NFL history". ESPN.
  6. Sporting News
    . Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Moriello, John (May 11, 2020). "One Hit by Mo Lewis Led to Tom Brady's Big Break and Changed NFL History". Sportscasting. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  8. NFL.com
    . Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  9. ISSN 0362-4331
    . Retrieved April 6, 2023.