Lewis graduated from Grace King High School in Metairie, Louisiana in 1990.[3] Despite being a promising athlete, Lewis only played football during his freshman year before quitting to help his family with their rough financial situation by getting a job.[4] He became a father during his senior year of high school and chose to focus on supporting his newborn child instead of playing football or going to college.[5]
Professional career
Early career
Prior to his pro football career, Lewis was a Budweiser beer truck driver (thus, the nickname "Beer Man") whose truck route was a short distance from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. In his early 20's, a friend introduced Lewis to an amateur flag football league that was having open tryouts. After seeing extreme success in flag football, Lewis decided to pursue his dream of playing pro football and waded through the various semi-professional football leagues, pro indoor leagues, and the Arena Football League, amassing impressive stats that resulted in him getting invites to various NFL training camps.[6]
Philadelphia Eagles
Lewis was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles during the preseason in 2000. He was cut before the regular season began.
New Orleans Saints
Lewis returned to his hometown to deliver beer locally. However, the New Orleans Saints signed Lewis at the end of the 2000 NFL regular season. The Saints sent Lewis to play for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe in 2001.[7][8]
Lewis was the Saints' feature return specialist from 2002 until September 19, 2005, during a game against the New York Giants at the Meadowlands, when he injured his MCL and was put on injured reserve for the rest of the season.[9] Lewis returned to play for the Saints on October 29, 2006, during a home game against the Baltimore Ravens.[10]
In 2002, Lewis set an NFL record for combined kick-punt return yardage with 2,432 yards total (1,807 kickoff, 625 punt), leading the league in punt return yards, kickoff return yards, and all-purpose yards.[11] He is currently the Saints' all-time career leader in punt returns (142) and punt return yardage (1,482).
On December 21, 2003, he also played a role in the River City Relay as one of the receivers that would lateral a touchdown in a last second attempt to win the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (in which the Saints lost). The River City Relay won an ESPY, NFL play of the year, and an ESPN.com internet poll.[12]
In April 2006 Lewis returned to the Saints after recovering from a knee injury.[13]
The Saints released Lewis on June 15, 2007.[14] The local New Orleans newspaper, the Times-Picayune, titled the news, "There's a Tear in My Beer".[15]
San Francisco 49ers
Lewis with the 49ers in 2007
On September 25, 2007, the San Francisco 49ers signed Lewis to take over punt return duties. The incumbent punt returner, Brandon Williams, was released.[16]
New Orleans VooDoo
Lewis signed a contract with the New Orleans VooDoo on October 10, 2008. Team officials were preparing to make the announcement the following week, but the owner (Tom Benson, also the owner of the New Orleans Saints) decided to terminate operations on October 13, 2008.[17]
Post-retirement
Lewis subsequently took a position as a "Team Ambassador" for the Saints.[18] Though no longer an active player, Lewis was awarded a Super Bowl ring after the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV in recognition of his continuing role with the team.[1] Lewis was selected for the Saints Hall of Fame in 2015.[19] In 2019, it was announced that biopic about Michael Lewis's life was being produced under the name "The Beer Man" with Aldis Hodge attached to the lead role.[20]
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