Leo Lewis (running back)
| No. 29 | |
| Date of birth | February 4, 1933 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Date of death | August 30, 2013 (aged 80) |
| Place of death | Columbia, Missouri |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | RB |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 196 lb (89 kg) |
| College | Lincoln |
| NFL draft | 1955 / Round: 6 / Pick: 64 |
| Drafted by | Baltimore Colts |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1955–1966 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 1962 |
| CFL West All-Star | 1955, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964 |
| Career stats | |
Leo Everett Lewis, Jr. (February 4, 1933 – August 30, 2013) was an American college football player (running back) for Lincoln University of Missouri in the 1950s (1951–54), who continued his success with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (1955–1966).
As a running back at Lincoln University Lewis was nicknamed " The Lincoln Locomotive".
Lewis still holds school records for touchdowns in a season (22), touchdowns in a career (64), rushing yards in a season (1,239) and career rushing yards (4,457).
After a stellar college career, Lewis signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.
He was named All-Pro six times and eventually earned a spot in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Lewis was a member of an amazing four Grey Cup winning Blue Bombers teams.
During his 11-year career in the CFL he rushed for 8,861 yards with a 6.6 yard average. He also was a remarkable kick-returner, averaging 29.1 yards on kickoff returns in his CFL career.
Bud Grant, legendary Blue Bombers' (and later head coach of the Minnesota Vikings), considered Leo Lewis the best player he had ever coached, whether in Canada or the United States. Lewis was voted one of the CFL's top 50 players (#29) in a poll conducted by Canadian sports network TSN.
His career rushing total of 8,861 yards stood as a Winnipeg Blue Bomber record for 41 years until it was passed by Charles Roberts in 2007. His career totals in return yardage, and yards per carry, still stand as Blue Bombers records.
Lewis was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1973.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in August 2005.
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