Michael Lewis (wide receiver)

For other people with the same name, see Michael Lewis (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Michael Lewis (safety).
Michael Lewis

refer to caption

Lewis in 2007 with the 49ers
No. 84 New Orleans Saints
Position: Team ambassador
Personal information
Date of birth: (1971-11-14) November 14, 1971
Place of birth: New Orleans, Louisiana
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight: 173 lb (78 kg)
Career information
High school: Metairie (LA) Grace King
Undrafted: 2000
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Michael Lee Lewis (born November 14, 1971) is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist who is currently the team ambassador of the New Orleans Saints.[1] He was signed by the Louisiana Bayou Beast in 1998. He did not play college football.

Lewis has also been a member of the New Orleans Thunder, New Jersey Red Dogs, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers.

Early years

Lewis graduated from Grace King High School in Metairie, Louisiana in 1990.[2]

Professional career

Early career

In 2000, he was a former Budweiser beer truck driver (thus, the nickname "Beer Man") who never went to college, and waded through the various semi-professional football leagues, pro indoor leagues, and the Arena Football League.

Philadelphia Eagles

Finally, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles during the preseason in 2000. He was cut before the regular season began.

New Orleans Saints

Michael returned to his hometown to deliver beer locally. But, at the end of the 2000 NFL regular season the New Orleans Saints gave him a chance by signing him. Then the Saints sent him over to play for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe in 2001.[3][4]

Lewis was the feature return specialist for the Saints from 2002 until September 19, 2005 during a game against the New York Giants at the Meadowlands, where he injured his MCL and was put on injured reserve for the rest of the season.[5] He returned to playing for the Saints a year later on October 29, 2006 during a home game against the Baltimore Ravens.[6]

In 2002, Lewis set an NFL record for combined kick-punt return yardage with 2,432 yards total (1,807 kickoff, 625 punt).[7] He is currently the Saints' all-time career leader in punt returns (142) and punt return yardage (1,482).

On December 21, 2003, he also played a role in the River City Relay as one of the receivers that would lateral a touchdown in a last second attempt to win the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (in which the Saints lost). The River City Relay won an ESPY, NFL play of the year, and an ESPN.com internet poll.[8]

In April 2006 Lewis returned to the Saints for a shot at one last season after rehabilitating from his knee injury.[9]

On June 15, 2007 the Saints released him.[10] The local New Orleans newspaper, the Times-Picayune, titled the news, "There's a Tear in My Beer" because he was a local inspiration, going from beer truck driver to NFL star.[11]

San Francisco 49ers

On September 25, 2007, Lewis was signed by the San Francisco 49ers to take over punt return duties. The incumbent punt returner, Brandon Williams, was released.[12]

New Orleans VooDoo

Lewis signed a contract with the New Orleans VooDoo on October 10, 2008. Team officials were preparing to make the announcement the following week, but the owner (Tom Benson, also the owner of the New Orleans Saints) decided to terminate operations on October 13, 2008.[13]

Post-retirement

Lewis subsequently took a position as a "Team Ambassador" for the Saints.[14] Although no longer playing, Lewis was awarded a Super Bowl ring after the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV in recognition of his continuing role with the team.[1] In 2015 Lewis was selected for the Saints Hall of Fame.[15]

Career Stats

Receiving Stats

Year Team Games Receptions Yards Yards per Reception Longest Reception Touchdowns First Downs Fumbles Fumbles Lost
2002 NO 16 8 200 25.0 59 0 4 1 1
2003 NO 13 12 226 18.8 39 1 10 0 0
2004 NO 14 8 127 15.9 30 0 7 0 0
Total Total 76 28 553 19.8 59 1 21 1 1

[16]

Returning Stats

Year Team Games Punt Return Attempts Punt Return Yards Punts Returned for Touchdown Fair Catch Longest Punt Return Kickoff Return Attempts Kickoff Return Yards Kickoffs Returned for Touchdown Fair Catch Longest Kickoff Return
2001 NO 8 14 81 0 0 32 32 762 0 0 68
2002 NO 16 44 625 1 6 83 70 1,807 2 0 97
2003 NO 13 30 275 0 10 27 45 1,068 0 0 53
2004 NO 14 34 382 0 11 53 51 1,215 1 0 96
2005 NO 2 4 8 0 0 5 8 137 0 0 20
2006 NO 10 16 111 0 10 26 37 914 0 0 51
2007 SF 13 44 336 0 4 51 5 86 0 0 24
Total Total 76 186 1,818 1 41 83 248 5,989 3 0 97

[16]

Awards and honors

References

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