Willie L. Lewis (born January 16, 1958) is an American football executive and former professional player who is the general manager for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). He was most recently the Director of Player Personnel for the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL and Assistant Director of Pro Personnel for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. He was the general manager for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He previously served as an executive in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 years, including tenures with the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. Most notably, he was the Seahawks vice president of football operations from 2010 to 2012.
| Houston Roughnecks | |||||||||
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| Position: | General manager | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | January 16, 1958 Quakertown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 185 lb (84 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Pennridge (PA) | ||||||||
| College: | Millersville | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1980 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| As a coach: | |||||||||
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| As an executive: | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Playing career
editLewis was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1980 out of Millersville State College — now Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He played in 26 NFL games, returning 45 kickoffs for a 21.4-yard average and 56 punts for an 8.0-yard average, including a 75-yard touchdown as a rookie versus the Denver Broncos.[1] Following his NFL career, Lewis played three seasons in the United States Football League (USFL) with the Denver Gold (1983) and Houston Gamblers (1984–85). After the USFL's collapse, Lewis continued his playing career in the Canadian Football League (CFL). There he was a member of the Ottawa Roughriders (1986, 1987–88), Montreal Alouettes (1986), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1989) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1989).[2]
Executive career
editLewis was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League on May 16, 2013.[3]
In 2018, Lewis became the general manager of the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football.[4] The following year, he was hired by the XFL's Houston Roughnecks as assistant director of pro personnel under fellow ex-AAF GM Randy Mueller.[5]
On December 28, 2023, Lewis was out with the Brahmas after resignation from Head Coach Hines Ward.[6]
On July 5, 2024, Lewis was hired by the Houston Roughnecks. [7]
Personal life
editLewis is the father of Ryan Lewis, an XFL cornerback with the Brahmas and a cousin of ESPN analyst Louis Riddick and Robb Riddick, who is a former running back for the Buffalo Bills.[8] Will has been married to his wife, Kimmberly, since 1993 and they have 3 grown children, Ryan, Drew and Troy. Will also has a daughter, Krysta.
References
edit- ^ "Will Lewis: Career Stats". NFL.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
- ^ "Will Lewis's career and yearly statistics". StatsCrew.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
- ^ "Will Lewis, Marvin Allen join Chiefs' scouting department". NFL.com. May 16, 2013. Archived from the original on May 18, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Florio, Mike (May 25, 2018). "Will Lewis will serve as G.M. of Memphis AAF team". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
- ^ McClain, John (June 7, 2019). "Houston XFL team adds personnel to football operations". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ Perry, Mark (December 28, 2023). "Exclusive: HC Hines Ward, GM Will Lewis Out With Brahmas, HC Phillips & OC Smith In, Full Details". xflnewshub.com. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ Larsen, James (July 5, 2024). "Houston Roughnecks Swap Lionel Vital For Will Lewis At GM". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ "There's Reason To Believe Patriots Really Like This Undrafted Cornerback". NESN.com. April 2, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
