Legendary CFL Running Back Leo "Lincoln Locomotive" Lewis 2018 Inductee in Black College Football Hall of Fame

www.BlackCollegeFoootballHOF.org

LINCOLN, Missouri -- Leo Lewis, one of the greatest running backs in Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Lincoln University history was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. The Class of 2018 included Harold Carmichael (Southern), Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson (Langston), Leo "Lincoln Locomotive" Lewis (Lincoln), Greg Lloyd (Fort Valley State), Everson Walls (Grambling State) and coach Bill Hayes (Winston-Salem State and North Carolina A&T).

Nicknamed the "Lincoln Locomotive", Lewis rushed for 8,861 yards during a stellar 12-year CFL career. Lewis’s rushing records stood for 41 years before being eclipsed by Charles Roberts in 2007. Lewis' career totals in return yardage, and yards per carry, however, still stand as team records.

Lewis was also a member of four Bombers Grey Cup winning teams: 1958, 1959, 1961 and 1962.  He played in six Grey Cup Championship games during his CFL career.

Born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1933, Lewis attended Lincoln University, where he 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 (4,357).

Lewis signed with the Blue Bombers out of college, and subsequently became a six-time all-star. He was named to the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame in 1973, and inducted into the Bombers Hall of Fame in 1984. In 2005, Lewis was named to the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.

Lewis led the Bombers in rushing in 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1964 and still remains the Bombers' all-time combined yardage leader with 18,577 yards (8,861 rushing, 4,251 receiving and 5,465 in returns).

"He was a quarterback’s best friend," said former Blue Bomber great Ken Ploen, in a biography of Lewis on the Manitoba Hall of Fame website. "It didn’t matter what you asked him to do, he’d do it to the best of his ability. He was there all the time. He never complained. He was a true professional."

Lewis was considered a hybrid of his era, both powerful and elusive.

BCFHOF NOTEBOOK on LEO  "Lincoln Locomotive" LEWIS

Running Back … Lincoln University (1951-1954) … Started every game and led the Blue Tigers to undefeated seasons in 1952 and 1953 … Still Lincoln’s all-time career leader in 4,457 rushing yards and 64 touchdowns … Selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 1955 NFL Draft, but elected to play in the Canadian Football League … Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1955-1966) … 12 seasons … Six-time All-Pro selection … Canadian Football Hall of Fame … College Football Hall of Fame … Born February 4, 1933 in Des Moines, Iowa … Died August 30, 2013.

Legendary Bomber head coach Bud Grant, who went on to become head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, considered Lewis the best player he ever coached, in either league. Lewis was voted one of the CFL’s top 50 players (#29) in a poll conducted by TSN.

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers acting CEO Wade Miller added his thoughts on Lewis: "I remember my dad telling me stories of playing with Leo with the Blue Bombers and what an amazing running back he was. He will forever remain one of the best players to ever suit up in Blue and Gold."

After a knee injury finished his career in 1966, Lewis returned to the Lincoln University where he spent more than thirty years coaching and teaching.

"I really enjoyed Winnipeg," Lewis said in his bio. "I enjoyed the people. They made me feel like I was home."

One of Lewis’s three sons, Marc, went on to play for both the Ottawa Rough Riders and the Calgary Stampeders. Another son, Leo Lewis III, played for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings.



CREDITS: Randy Turner - Winnepeg Free Press, CBC News and BCFHOF.