Defensive tackle Damione Lewis was an anchor on the defensive line for the Miami football team in the late 1990s and 2000. As a senior, Lewis was first-team all-Big East and a third-team All-American.
Damione Lewis was an anchor at defensive tackle on the defensive line for the Miami football program from 1997-2000 after redshirting as a freshman in 1996. Lewis recorded 220 tackles, 15.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in his Hurricanes career. As a senior Lewis played in the Sugar Bowl.
In four seasons as an active player the Miami football team went 34-14 with Lewis in the lineup. Miami went 3-0 in bowl games during the Lewis tenure. The Hurricanes won the 1998 Micron PC Bowl, the 1999 Gator Bowl and the 2001 Sugar Bowl following the 2000 season. Lewis came to Miami from Sulfur Springs, Texas.
Miami Hurricanes Football
The Hurricanes have recruited Texas well before and after Lewis played in Miami. Linebacker Jessie Armstead and wide receiver Kevin Williams were among the stars the Hurricanes have recruited from the Lone Star state.
Houston graduate transfer quarterback D’Eriq King is the latest player to matriculate at Miami from Texas.
Following his career at Miami, Lewis was the 12th pick in the first round by the St. Louis Rams in the 2001 NFL Draft. Lewis went one spot behind teammate Dan Morgan who was chosen by the Carolina Panthers.
Wide receivers Santana Moss 16th to the Jets and Reggie Wayne 30th to Indianapolis were also first-round picks. Lewis played nine games as a rookie with the Rams starting three.
A broken foot ended his season prematurely. Lewis missed the Rams playoff run which included their second Superbowl trip in three seasons. The Rams were upset by the New England Patriots in the Superbowl which began the Belichick-Brady dynasty.
For his NFL Career, Lewis recorded 277 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 42 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hits, 16 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. Lewis played 10 seasons in the NFL. The first five were with St. Louis. Lewis spent the next four in Carolina and his final season with the Houston Texans.