Chad Wayne Lewis, born on October 5, 1971, in Fort Dix, NJ, is an American former professional football player who made his mark as a tight end in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. His journey from a young athlete to a respected figure in sports and community service is a testament to his dedication and hard work.
Early Life and College Career
Chad grew up in a Mormon family that relocated to Orem, Utah, during his childhood. He excelled in football and basketball at Orem High School, where he also participated in high-jumping. After graduating, he served a two-year church mission in Taichung, Taiwan. Upon his return, Chad enrolled at Brigham Young University (BYU).
Originally, Lewis had wanted to play football for the University of Utah. Plans changed again when Lewis walked on to the track team, and eventually the football team at BYU. It didn’t hurt that the team’s head coach, LaVell Edwards, also grew up in Orem. He won a spot on the BYU varsity as a walk-on tight end. Chad saw sporadic action as a freshman, but made all the highlight reels with a great one-handed touchdown catch against Ohio State in the Holiday Bowl. Promoted to a starting role in 1994, Chad reeled in between 31 and 37 catches over his final three seasons for the Cougars-including 5 TDs as a senior. He was also a key special-teams player, blocking five kicks on defense. Chad earned All-WAC and honorable mention All-America honors as a junior in 1995.
Over his collegiate career as a Cougar, Chad Lewis never failed to entertain and keep fans on their toes. In the 1996 Western Athletic Conference Championship Game in Las Vegas, Nev., Lewis caught a 13-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to help lead the Cougars to victory. Lewis, who also high-jumped on BYU's track and field team, blocked a total of five kicks throughout his collegiate career. During his senior year, Lewis led his team to a victory over Kansas State at the 1996 Cotton Bowl with five catches for 79 yards. That same year he finished the season second in touchdown receptions among the nation's tight ends with five. He was fifth nationally in receptions by a tight end (37) and ninth in receiving yardage (420).
Epitomizing the student-athlete, Lewis also worked hard academically. Lewis was a three-time Academic All-WAC selection and was named an Academic All-American in 1996. He also earned a spot on the College Football Association All-Academic Team. Lewis ended his career at BYU having caught a pass in 24 consecutive games. The Cougar walk-on hauled in a total of 111 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns.
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NFL Career
Shortly after graduating in 1997 with a degree in communication studies, Lewis signed as a rookie free agent with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. He was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997, but had only played for the team for a month before he was traded to the Rams.
St. Louis Rams
His playing skills helped the Rams achieve one of the biggest turnarounds that the NFL has seen. During the previous season, the Rams had been crushed by the 49ers in a 44-10 loss. A number of losses ensued and the team ended its season 7-9. However, in 2000, Lewis helped the Rams make it to Super Bowl XXXIV against the Tennessee Titans. The Rams won, 23-16. Lewis looks back on his relationships with the coaches of both teams fondly and explains that he learned a great deal from being a part of their organizations.
Return to the Philadelphia Eagles
Chad re-signed with the Eagles in 2000 and had an All-Pro season at age 29. He caught 69 passes-the most of any tight end in the NFL-and scored three times. After the season, he played in his first of three consecutive Pro Bowls. Lewis established himself as the Eagles starting tight end and a favorite target of quarterback Donovan McNabb, being name an All Pro in 2000, as well as the first of three consecutive Pro Bowl selections. In 2000 he led the Eagles with 69 receptions for 735 yards and three touchdowns, helping Philadelphia return to the playoffs for the first time since 1996. In 2001, he caught a career high six touchdowns. That year, the Eagles would make the first of four straight NFC Championship Game appearances.
The 2004 season was Chad’s last as a starter. The Eagles beat the Vikings in their first 2004 playoff game, and then defeated the Falcons in the NFC Championship. Chad was the hero, catching a short scoring pass from Donovan McNabb to give Philly a 14-3 lead. That turned out to be the winning play in a 27-10 victory. Chad caught another short scoring pass in the closing minutes to seal the game.
Lewis caught two touchdown passes in the 2004 NFC Championship Game when the Eagles beat Atlanta and earned their way to Super Bowl XXXIX. Unfortunately, he injured his foot twisting on the frozen turf and was unable to participate in the Super Bowl. The Patriots beat the Eagles, 24-21. Smith beat out Chad for the starting job in 2005. After playing the year as a sub, he decided to call it a career at age 35. He retired with 229 receptions and 23 touchdowns.
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“I worked as hard as I could to be the best tight end I could be for the Philadelphia Eagles. I was proud to take the field as an Eagle. I just feel like I gave everything I had."
Lewis spent the first half of the 2005 season rehabbing his injury; his contract expired following the Super Bowl so he remained a free agent. Once healed, Lewis re-signed with the Eagles on a one-year deal. Lewis and L. J. Smith were used in two-tight end sets which were not traditional for NFL offenses at the time. Lewis retired following the 2005 season.
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Life After Football
After leaving the NFL in 2005, Lewis became BYU’s associate athletic director. The athletic director, Tom Holmoe, who played for the 49ers and was a coach for the 49ers and has four Super Bowl rings, asked me to come back and run the fundraising team for the athletic department," Lewis said. "I would describe it as the best job in America. I get to work with the best people in America. I love the fact that I'm still involved with football, specifically, and all the sports and the student-athletes.
He had been offered another season with the Eagles but turned down the opportunity. The biggest influence in this decision was his family. They wanted to move back to Utah and have their father home more of the time. In his work for BYU, Lewis still shows others his passion for athletics in order to raise money for the Athletic Department. Lewis contributes to BYU and football in other ways, specifically by participating in and teaching football camps for youth. He helps young kids learn football strategy and plays, while giving them an understanding of the way they should conduct themselves when they play any sport and in their daily lives.
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His other charity project, which is based in Utah, is called American Indian Services. This raises money for Native American youth to go to college. Lewis dedicates much of his life to his family. He gets up daily at 5:30 to read, eat breakfast and get ready for work. But he says his “real day” begins after work, when he comes home to his family. Dinner, ball games and other activities constitute his night. His seven children, ages 2 to 15, all play sports, including volleyball, basketball, baseball, soccer and flag football. Lewis believes strongly in getting out in the outdoors. He ran the 2011 St. George Marathon, and would like others to take the time to get exercise and go outside, especially in the fall. “Take advantage of the colors, get up in the mountains on a bike or walking,” he says. “Take the time to see the colors change. Use a sick day at work if you have to.
"BYU certainly means so much to me. I believe in the mission of BYU. So to be on this campus with these people, it's really important to me. Interesting enough, my daughter, Emily, who plays on the volleyball team at BYU just married a tight end on the football team at BYU," Lewis said. "When I was at BYU playing football, I married my wife who was on the volleyball team. She married Matt Bushman, who was a freshman All-American tight end last year. A great player. I'd love for him to play on the Eagles someday. He's certainly good enough.
Lewis has visited China, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand to promote the NFL, give interviews and help with football clinics.
Legacy
He was inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame in 2007 and joined the Cougars’ athletic department in 2010. Chad’s wife, Michele, was an All-American volleyball player at BYU. Their daughter, Emily, who starred for the BYU volleyball team, married Matt Bushman.
| Year | Team | Pro Bowls | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-1998 | Philadelphia Eagles | 0 | 12 receptions, 4 touchdowns |
| 1999 | St. Louis Rams | 0 | Backup for Roland Williams |
| 2000-2005 | Philadelphia Eagles | 3 | 229 receptions, 23 touchdowns |
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