Sherman Lewis, Four-Time Super Bowl Winner and MSU Legend, Dies at 83
Sherman Lewis, a celebrated Michigan State University All-American and distinguished NFL coach, has died at age 83. A trailblazing figure in football, Lewis won four Super Bowl titles as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, becoming the first Black offensive coordinator to win the championship. His career spanned playing in the CFL and AFL to coaching roles with the Vikings, Lions, and Washington. Remembered for breaking racial barriers and mentoring players, Lewis leaves a lasting legacy in college and professional sports history.
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Former 49ers Coach Sherman Lewis, 4-Time Super Bowl Winner, Dies at 83
Sherman Lewis, a former San Francisco 49ers coach and four-time Super Bowl champion, has passed away at the age of 83. His death occurred on a Friday, just days after the passing of former 49ers tight end Charlie Young, marking a somber week for the franchise. Lewis began his career as an All-American running back at Michigan State before playing professionally in the CFL, NFL, and Atlantic Coast Football League. He transitioned to coaching at his alma mater for 14 seasons before joining the 49ers in 1983. During his nine-year tenure in San Francisco, he served as the running backs coach for eight years and as the wide receivers coach in 1991, contributing to three Super Bowl victories. Following his time with the 49ers, Lewis served as the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 1999, where he secured his fourth Super Bowl ring. He later held similar positions with the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. After a brief hiatus, he returned to the league in 2009 as a consultant for Washington. Lewis is remembered for his significant contributions to offensive strategies in the NFL.
yahoo sportsFormer NFL Coach Sherman Lewis, Four-Time Super Bowl Winner, Dies at 83
Sherman Lewis, a former NFL assistant coach who won four Super Bowl titles during his distinguished 26-year career, has died at the age of 83. His passing was confirmed by Michigan State University, where he was a standout All-American running back in 1963. Lewis began his professional journey as a defensive back and returner for the New York Jets in the late 1960s after playing in the Canadian Football League. He achieved significant coaching success, winning three championships with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s as a running backs coach under Bill Walsh. He secured his fourth title in 1996 as the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers under Mike Holmgren. Although he never held a head coaching position in the NFL, Lewis served as an offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, concluding his career with the Washington Redskins in 2009. A versatile athlete, Lewis also excelled in track and field at Michigan State and was inducted into the university's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. His legacy remains defined by his strategic contributions to some of the NFL's most dominant teams of the late 20th century.
New York PostAll-American, Super Bowl-Winning Coach Sherman Lewis Dies at 83
Sherman Lewis, a distinguished former Michigan State University football star and highly successful NFL assistant coach, has died at the age of 83. Michigan State announced his passing on Saturday night, though no cause of death was provided. Lewis was a standout halfback for the Spartans, earning All-American honors in 1963 and finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting that year. After brief professional playing stints with the Toronto Argonauts and New York Jets, he returned to Michigan State as an assistant coach in 1969. His legendary coaching career began in earnest when Bill Walsh hired him for the San Francisco 49ers in 1983. Lewis won three Super Bowl rings with the 49ers as running backs coach and secured a fourth championship as offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. He also held coaching positions with the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, and Washington franchise. In recognition of his significant contributions to the sport, Lewis was honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame with an Award of Excellence in 2023. His legacy spans both collegiate excellence and professional dominance in the NFL.
Deadspin > Sports News Without Fear, Favor or CompromiseSherman Lewis, Longtime NFL Assistant Coach and College All-American, Dies at 83
Sherman Lewis, a distinguished figure in American football known for his extensive coaching career and achievements as a college player, has passed away at the age of 83. Lewis began his athletic prominence as an All-American halfback at Michigan State University, where he finished third in the 1963 Heisman Trophy voting and won three Big Ten titles in track and field. Although drafted by both the NFL and AFL in 1964, he started his professional playing career with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL before playing for the New York Jets. Transitioning to coaching in 1969, Lewis spent 13 years as an assistant at Michigan State before joining the San Francisco 49ers in 1983 under head coach Bill Walsh. His career advanced significantly when he became the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers in 1992, serving throughout Mike Holmgren’s tenure. He subsequently held offensive coordinator positions with the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, concluding his coaching career with the Washington team in 2009. Over twelve seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator, Lewis left a lasting impact on the league, mentoring players and shaping offensive strategies for multiple franchises.
yahoo sportsLongtime NFL Assistant Coach Sherman Lewis Dies at 83
Sherman Lewis, a highly respected NFL assistant coach and offensive coordinator, has died at the age of 83. Lewis was a four-time Super Bowl winner, achieving championship success with the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers. His coaching career spanned several decades, including significant tenures as the offensive coordinator for the Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions. Before coaching, Lewis was a standout athlete, finishing third in the 1963 Heisman Trophy race as a running back for Michigan State and playing professionally for the New York Jets and in the Canadian Football League. While his legacy is defined by his strategic expertise and mentorship of stars like Brett Favre, many fans remember him for his brief and controversial stint with the Washington Redskins in 2009. Hired as an offensive consultant during a turbulent season under owner Daniel Snyder, Lewis was abruptly given playcalling duties, a move that undermined head coach Jim Zorn. Despite never securing a head coaching position, Lewis remained proud of his contributions to the game. In 2023, he received the Award of Excellence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his status as a legendary figure in professional football.
yahoo sportsSherman Lewis, Former NFL Coordinator and MSU Legend, Dies at 83
Sherman Lewis, a distinguished former NFL offensive coordinator and Michigan State University football legend, has died at the age of 83. His death was confirmed by an MSU spokesman on May 16, 2026, following his passing on May 15. Lewis was a trailblazing figure in American football, known for his exceptional career as a player and coach. As a student-athlete at Michigan State, he earned All-American honors and captained both the football and track teams. Professionally, he played in the CFL and AFL before transitioning to coaching. Lewis spent nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, contributing to three Super Bowl victories, and later served as the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, where he became the first Black offensive coordinator to win a Super Bowl title in 1996. He also held coaching positions with the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. Throughout his 22-season NFL coaching career, his teams achieved a cumulative record of 219-131-1. Tributes from former colleagues and players, including Clinton Jones and Jimmy Raye, have highlighted his significant legacy and impact on the sport.
yahoo sportsSherman Lewis, Four-Time Super Bowl Winner and NFL Assistant Coach, Dies at 83
Sherman Lewis, a distinguished NFL assistant coach who won four Super Bowl championships, has died at the age of 83. His death was confirmed by Michigan State University, where he was a standout athlete. Lewis served as the running backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers under Bill Walsh, securing titles in 1984, 1988, and 1989. He later became the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, winning another championship in 1996 under Mike Holmgren. Despite his success and endorsements from prominent coaches, Lewis never secured an NFL head coaching position, a circumstance often attributed to the lack of diversity mandates like the Rooney Rule during his prime candidacy years. Before his NFL coaching career, Lewis was an All-American running back at Michigan State, finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1963, and played professionally in the CFL and AFL. He also held coaching roles with the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, and Washington Commanders. Lewis was inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in both playing and coaching realms.
yahoo sportsSherman Lewis, Michigan State Legend and Former Lions OC, Dies at 83
Sherman Lewis, a celebrated Michigan State University football All-American and former NFL offensive coordinator, has died at the age of 83. His death was confirmed by an MSU spokesman on May 16, 2026, following his passing on May 15. Lewis was a trailblazing athlete who became the first player from the segregated South to play a substantial role for coach Duffy Daugherty at MSU, earning All-American honors in 1963. After brief professional playing stints in the CFL and AFL, he embarked on a distinguished coaching career spanning over two decades in the NFL. Lewis served as a key assistant for the San Francisco 49ers during three Super Bowl victories and later became the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, helping them win Super Bowl XXXI. Notably, he was the first Black offensive coordinator to win a Super Bowl title. He concluded his NFL career with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Tributes from former colleagues and players highlight his legacy as a mentor and a giant in college and professional football history.
yahoo sportsSherman Lewis, Michigan State All-American and Ex-Lions OC, Dies at 83
Sherman Lewis, a celebrated Michigan State University football All-American and former NFL offensive coordinator, has died at the age of 83. His death was confirmed by an MSU spokesman on May 16, 2026, following his passing on May 15. Lewis was a trailblazing athlete who became an All-American running back for the Spartans in 1963 and captained both the football and track teams. After brief professional playing stints in the CFL and AFL, he embarked on a distinguished coaching career. He served as an assistant coach at MSU before moving to the NFL, where he spent nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, contributing to three Super Bowl victories. Later, as the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, he helped secure a Super Bowl title in 1996, becoming the first Black offensive coordinator to win the championship. Lewis also coached for the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. Remembered as a mentor and legend, Lewis broke racial barriers as one of the first players from the segregated South to play significantly for coach Duffy Daugherty.
yahoo sportsSherman Lewis, Michigan State Icon and Four-Time Super Bowl Winner, Dies at 83
Sherman Lewis, a celebrated figure in college and professional football, has died at the age of 83. Michigan State University confirmed his passing on Saturday. Lewis was an All-American halfback at Michigan State from 1961 to 1963, finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting during his senior year. After brief playing stints in the Canadian Football League and the American Football League, he transitioned into a highly successful coaching career. He began coaching at his alma mater in 1969 before joining the NFL ranks with the San Francisco 49ers in 1983. With the 49ers, he won three Super Bowl titles as a running-backs and receivers coach. Later, as the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 1999, he secured a fourth Super Bowl championship. Lewis also served as offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, and as a consultant for Washington. Despite his extensive success and recognition, including a Pro Football Hall of Fame award of excellence in 2023, Lewis never became an NFL head coach, a fact he acknowledged with some disappointment but overall pride in his accomplished career.
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