Danny Lewis

Daniel Nathan Lewis (February 14, 1936 – March 6, 2015) was an American professional football halfback, fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions (1958–1964), the Washington Redskins, and the New York Giants (1966). He played college football at the University of Wisconsin.

Biography

Early life Lewis was born in 1936 in Freehold, New Jersey. He played high school football at Freehold High School in Freehold Borough, New Jersey.

College career Lewis played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers. As a junior in 1956, he totaled 606 yards from scrimmage, including 554 rushing yards on 100 carries for an average of 5.5 yards per carry. As a senior in 1957, he gained 782 yards from scrimmage, including 611 rushing yards on 95 carries for an average of 6.4 yards per carry. His 1957 tally of 611 rushing yards ranked fourth best in the Big Ten Conference.

Professional career Lewis was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round (73rd overall pick) of the 1958 NFL draft. He was the first African American to lead the Lions in rushing. At the end of his career with the Lions, he ranked fourth in franchise history with 2,698 rushing yards.

In September 1965, Lewis was traded to the Washington Redskins in exchange for a draft choice. Playing at fullback, Lewis ranked second on the Redskins with 343 rushing yards in 1965.

Lewis was cut by the Redskins after the 1965 season. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons in the off-season but was released before the start of the 1966 NFL season. He signed as a free agent with the New York Giants in September 1966. In his final NFL season, Lewis appeared in 13 games for the Giants, rushing for 164 yards on 32 carries.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1958 DET 11 1 25 131 5.2 20 0 1 12 12.0 12 0 1959 DET 11 9 49 199 4.1 20 2 5 75 15.0 30 0 1960 DET 12 7 92 438 4.8 74 1 12 192 16.0 55 1 1961 DET 13 10 110 451 4.1 27 4 8 118 14.8 22 0 1962 DET 12 9 120 488 4.1 64 6 16 158 9.9 34 1 1963 DET 14 12 133 528 4.0 27 2 15 115 7.7 30 0 1964 DET 11 7 122 463 3.8 28 1 11 129 11.7 92 1 1965 WAS 13 10 117 343 2.9 23 2 25 276 11.0 37 2 1966 NYG 13 2 32 164 5.1 57 1 6 87 14.5 25 0 Career 110 67 800 3,205 4.0 74 19 99 1,162 11.7 92 5