Sherman Lewis, a college football standout who captured four Super Bowl championships as an NFL assistant coach, passed away Friday at the age of 83.
Michigan State revealed Lewis’s death on Saturday evening, though the university did not specify what caused his passing.
During his playing career as a halfback for the Spartans, Lewis earned All-American honors and placed third in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1963 following a season in which he accumulated 880 yards and nine touchdowns from scrimmage.
Following brief professional playing stints with the Toronto Argonauts in 1964 and the New York Jets from 1966-67, Lewis returned to Michigan State in 1969 to join Duffy Daugherty’s coaching staff. He continued working for the Spartans through 1982.
Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh brought Lewis to the San Francisco 49ers’ coaching ranks in 1983. During his nine seasons as the team’s running backs coach, Lewis earned three Super Bowl championships before adding a fourth ring while serving as offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers from 1992-99.
Lewis later held offensive coordinator positions with the Minnesota Vikings from 2000-01 and the Detroit Lions from 2003-04, and worked as an offensive consultant for the Washington franchise in 2009.
On June 28, 2023, the Pro Football Hall of Fame honored Lewis as part of the Awards of Excellence Class of 2023. This recognition program celebrates important contributors to professional football across five categories, including assistant coaches.
