In The Locker Room With Sweet Lew
April 6, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
Thyron Lewis wanted to get back to the Tri-Cities. He just never figured it would take him nearly two years to make his return.
But, the wide receiver from Howard University is back on the Fever roster, and right now he couldn't be happier. Well, a few more wins would make him happier, but he doesn't have too many complaints.
He is still playing the game he loves and at a high level.
"I am just glad to be back," said the Fever's leading receiver. "It's been a long road back."
Lewis, who got his feet wet in the indoor game in 2008 in Stockton, leads the Fever with 17 catches for 287 yards and eight touchdowns. His eight TD catches rank him second in the Indoor Football League.
Lewis is coming off one of the best receiving games of his career and in Fever franchise history. Lewis had seven catches for 170 yards and four touchdowns in the Fever's 55-49 home loss to the Kent Predators on March 27. He will look for even more when the Fever (0-3) takes on the Fairbanks Grizzlies (4-1) on Saturday night at Toyota Center.
"He has that ability to take over a game," said Fever coach Adam Shackleford.
Many might not remember, but Lewis played for the Fever briefly in 2008. But after just a few games, he left for an NFL workout and did not return.
His plans were to start the 2009 season back in the Tri-Cities, playing with his cousin, Fever cornerback Ray Little. But that never happened for a variety of reasons and he ended up signing with the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings of the arenafootball2 league. According to Lewis, a trade was in the works to bring him back to the Tri-Cities, but the Battle Wings would not release him. Lewis played in three games for Bossier before tearing ligaments in his left toe, ending his season just before the start of the playoffs.
Through all his moving around and then the injury, Lewis knew his football career was not over, and was ready to return to the Fever.
"I'm glad to have him," Shackleford said. "He's a hard worker who does the right things on and off the field."
Lewis, who has deceptive speed at 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, has has fit right in with Shackleford's team-oriented offense.
"He's taught me a lot," the Los Angeles native said. "A lot about spacing and running my routes and how it fits in with the team."
Lewis, like most of the Fever players, hopes this stop is just one rung on the ladder back to the outdoor game.
Lewis, 27, would like another taste of the NFL. In 2006, Lewis spent the entire season on the Washington Redskins practice squad. The following season, he had workouts with the a couple more NFL, AFL and CFL teams, but could not stick.
"My goal is to get back to the next level," he said. "But right now I am focused on playing for the Fever."
While Lewis' window for an NFL contract may be narrowing, his life after football is filled with hope and opportunity.
Lewis graduated from Howard with a degree in criminal justice and works at a juvenile development center back home in Los Angeles during the offseason. There, he counsels troubled youth, sharing some of his experiences growing up in L.A.
"I really enjoy helping kids out," Lewis said.
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Indoor Football League Stories from April 6, 2010
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