Keith Lewis (born March 28, 1989) is an American football cornerback for the Sioux City Bandits of the National Arena League (NAL). He attended Virginia University of Lynchburg. He signed with the New York Jets after going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Omaha Mammoths, Calgary Stampeders, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions.
| No. 21 – Sioux City Bandits | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Cornerback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 28, 1989 |
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: | Virginia University of Lynchburg |
| Undrafted: | 2014 |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Roster status: | Active |
College edit
At Marie Sklodowska-Curie Metro High School in Chicago, Lewis amassed over 30 football scholarships and was one of the top players from the region. But with low ACT scores, he didn't get through the NCAA clearinghouse so he enrolled at the College of DuPage, a nearby junior college. He would go on to become an All-American at the junior college but grades were now an issue for him to transfer to a major program. So Lewis stepped away from football for nearly two years in order to get his life in order.
He applied for and got into Harold Washington College, a college in Chicago without a football program. At Harold Washington, the lack of a football program meant that Lewis had the chance to focus on the classroom. He spent more time studying and getting his grades up. Eventually the Virginia University of Lynchburg offered him a scholarship. In his final season at Lynchburg, he began to turn heads and caught the attention of agents and NFL scouts. All of a sudden there was a bit of buzz about this untested, extremely raw prospect.[1]
Professional career edit
Tampa Bay Buccaneers edit
After going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft Lewis signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was released by the Buccaneers on August 29, 2014 as they trimmed their roster down to 53 players.[2]
Omaha Mammoths edit
Lewis played with the Omaha Mammoths of the Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL) during their 2014 season.[3]
New York Jets edit
Lewis signed a reserves/futures contract with the New York Jets on December 30, 2014.[4] Lewis was released by the Jets as they trimmed their roster down before the start of the regular season.[4]
Calgary Stampeders edit
Signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League on September 28, 2015.[5]
San Diego Chargers edit
The San Diego Chargers and Lewis agreed to a contract on December 16, 2015.[6]
Kansas City Chiefs edit
Lewis was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in January 2016 and released by the team in June 2016.[7]
Detroit Lions edit
Lewis was signed by the Detroit Lions in June 2016 and released by the team in August 2016.[7]
Winnipeg Blue Bombers edit
On January 24, 2017, Lewis signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[8]
Illinois Cowboys IA-FL (Iron Athletes Football League) edit
Lewis was signed June 2017
Carolina Cobras edit
On February 25, 2018, Lewis signed with the Carolina Cobras of the National Arena League (NAL).[9]
Orlando Predators edit
On November 26, 2021, Lewis signed with the Orlando Predators of the National Arena League (NAL).[10] On January 31, 2022, Lewis was released by the Predators.
Albany Empire edit
On February 14, 2022, Lewis signed with the Albany Empire of the National Arena League (NAL).
Carolina Cobras (second stint) edit
On March 22, 2022, Lewis was traded by the Empire to the Carolina Cobras of the National Arena League (NAL). On April 16, 2022, Lewis was released by the Cobras.[11]
West Texas Warbirds edit
On October 24, 2022, Lewis signed with the West Texas Warbirds of the National Arena League (NAL).[12] On March 2, 2023, Lewis was released by the Warbirds.
Sioux City Bandits edit
On December 7, 2023, Lewis signed with the Sioux City Bandits of the National Arena League (NAL).[13]
References edit
- ^ dyer, kristian (2014-12-20). "Keith Lewis gets his NFL chance". Metro. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- ^ Philipse, Sander (2014-08-29). "Bucs start roster cuts with Lewis, Pryor, Glaud". Bucs Nation. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- ^ writer, Rich Kaipust / World-Herald staff. "Mammoths avert misery, steal victory at end". Omaha.com. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- ^ a b "Jets renegotiate quarterback Matt Simms' contract, sign 8 players to reserve/future contracts". NJ.com. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- ^ "Stampeders sign DB McDonald to practice roster". CFL.ca. 2015-09-28. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- ^ "Chargers Re-Sign Phillips, Sorensen Among Four Roster Moves". Los Angeles Chargers. 2015-12-16. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- ^ a b "KEITH LEWIS". foxsports.com. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ Hobson, Russ. "Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign three internationals". Global News. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- ^ "Carolina Adds Defensive Back Keith Lewis". oursportscentral.com.
- ^ "Keith Lewis WR/DB Signed for the 2022 Season!". orlandopredatorsfootball.com.
- ^ "2022 NAL Transactions". nationalarenaleague.com.
- ^ "2023 NAL Transactions". nationalarenaleague.com.
- ^ "Welcome to Bandits Kingdom Keith Lewis". Sioux City Bandits. December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.