Woodley Lewis
Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |||||
| Died: | December 29, 2000 (aged 75) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | ||||
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 185 lb (84 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Manual Arts (CA) | ||||
| College: | Oregon | ||||
| NFL draft: | 1950 / Round: 8 / Pick: 103 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||
Woodley Carl Lewis, Jr. (June 14, 1925 – December 29, 2000) was an
Early years
Lewis attended Manual Arts High School, before moving on to the Los Angeles City College. After his sophomore year he accepted a scholarship from the University of Oregon.
In
He finished his college eligibility as the school's record-holder in career kickoff return average (34.1 avg.), single-season return average (43.2), career rushing yards per carry (5.6), longest punt return (92 yards against Oregon State, 1949) and longest kickoff return (102 yards against Colorado, 1949).
In 1999, he was inducted into the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Los Angeles Rams
Lewis was selected by the
He earned the starting position at right cornerback and registered an interception in his first professional game. As a rookie, he finished the season with a team record 12 interceptions (second in the league) and 275 interception return yards (first in the league).[5] He was the only Rams rookie to ever be named to a Pro Bowl until 1962 (Merlin Olsen). The next year, he played on offense and defense, helping the Rams become NFL champions for the second time in franchise history.
In 1953, he led the league in kickoff return yards with 830 (league record) and punt return yards with 267. Of special significance was his game against the Detroit Lions, when he registered 294 combined return yards (league record), with 120 punt return yards (including a 78-yard touchdown return) and 174 kickoff return yards, in a 31-19 win.[6]
The next year, he led the league again in kickoff return yards with 836, breaking his own league record. In 1955, he was moved to wide receiver.
On September 24,
Chicago Cardinals
In 1956, he played as a defensive back. The next year, he was moved to wide receiver and was third on his team in receiving yards with 424. He also led the league in all purpose yards with 1,281, was second in kickoff return yards with 682 and third in punt return yards with 175.
In 1958, he led the team in receiving, registering 46 receptions (sixth on the league) and 690 receiving yards (sixth on the league).
On September 16, 1960, He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. He was one of only three players to never miss a game during the decade of the 1950s, the others being Leo Nomellini and Emlen Tunnell.
Dallas Cowboys
Lewis was a part of the franchise's inaugural season.[8] As the team's elder statesman and a reserve wide receiver, he appeared in 6 games and registered one reception for 19 yards. He was released on November 10.
Personal life
On December 29, 2000, he died of heart and kidney problems.[9]
In 1962, he invested in a 36-lane bowling alley with an adjacent restaurant and cocktail lounge at 1950 North Central Avenue, becoming one of the first
References
- ^ "Oregon suffers 14-0 loss, but shows real class". Eugene Register-Guard. October 3, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ Bellamy, Ron (September 19, 2003). "Ducks have been shut out of success against the Wolverines". Euegene Register-Guard. p. B1. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ "Los Angeles' long and rich history of black professional football players". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ "Black History Month: Pioneering Blacks in professional football". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ "Lewis Joined Pros 10 years Too Soon". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ "1953: Woodley Lewis of the Los Angeles Rams has 120 yards..." Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ "Rams Trade Lewis". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ "Pro Grid Outlook for 1960". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ "Ex-Rams Player Woodley Lewis Dies". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ "The Roller Rink Origins of N.W.A." Retrieved April 30, 2017.
