Darren Lewis Obituary

Darren Lewis, a standout athlete from Carter High School in Dallas, quickly rose to prominence in the late 1980s. Known for his extraordinary talent on the football field, Lewis was frequently mentioned alongside future NFL legend Emmitt Smith as one of the top high school prospects in the nation. His impressive performance at Carter High set the stage for a record-breaking collegiate career.

College Stardom at Texas A&M

From 1987 to 1990, Darren Lewis dominated the college football scene at Texas A&M. During his time with the Aggies, he amassed an incredible 5,012 rushing yards, surpassing the previous Southwest Conference record of 4,450 yards held by Eric Dickerson, originally set by Earl Campbell. This achievement was particularly notable because it came before bowl game statistics were included in career totals. By the end of his college career, Lewis ranked fifth on the NCAA all-time career rushing list, trailing only Tony Dorsett, Charles White, Herschel Walker, and Archie Griffin.

Nicknamed “Tank” for his powerful running style, Lewis was a two-time All-American at Texas A&M. His record at the university still stands strong, with his rushing total remaining 1,309 yards ahead of the second-place record holder in Texas A&M history.

Challenges in the NFL

Despite his stellar college career, Lewis’s transition to the NFL was fraught with difficulties. During the NFL draft process, he was introduced to cocaine at parties and by prospective agents, who assured him he would pass drug tests. Unfortunately, Lewis was the only player to test positive for cocaine at the NFL Scouting Combine, causing his draft stock to plummet. He was eventually selected in the sixth round by the Chicago Bears, who claimed they were unaware of his positive test result at the time. Following the draft, Lewis was sent to rehab.

Lewis’s NFL career was marked by struggle. He started just five games out of 33 appearances for the Bears, accumulating 431 rushing yards. Despite not failing any subsequent drug tests, his off-field issues continued to plague him. In 1993, he was arrested on domestic battery charges and subsequently released by the Bears.

Post-Football Life and Legacy

The dramatic decline in Lewis’s career and life was a shock to many who knew him, including his former coaches Jackie Sherrill and R.C. Slocum, who remained in contact with him over the years. Despite the challenges and setbacks he faced, Darren Lewis’s legacy as one of college football’s greats endures.