Terrance Lewis strives to make it to the NFL
Fulfilling his dream of making it as a wide receiver in the NFL has been the mission for Alcorn State University alum and Fort Myers, Fla. native Terrance Lewis since the tender age of 9-years-old. His affinity for the gridiron is what keeps him motivated to press on.
“Football for me has always been serious,” said Lewis, who earned his business administration degree from Alcorn after the spring semester. “The love for the game, along with being able to help others, drives me to pursue my dream. You have to love the game of football to truly stay committed to it.”
Lewis, along with several undrafted hopefuls, will be a part of NFL Network’s upcoming series Undrafted on October 23. The series will document the journeys of players as they work toward achieving their dream of playing for an NFL team. The series gives audiences a glimpse into the daily lives of the players.
Lewis played wide receiver and kick returner while playing for the Braves. Shortly after graduation, Lewis was invited to tryout for the Jacksonville Jaguars during their rookie mini camp. He also started two pre-season games for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League.
Growing up in a rough neighborhood, Lewis saw the hardships that some of his peers faced due to being a product of their environment. Luckily, he used football as an escape. His path has had a positive affect on his life, making him the first person in his family to make it out of a harsh environment and graduate from college.
“Football has greatly impacted my life. I saw a lot coming up and it helped me to grow up fast. It kept me from making a lot of the wrong decisions I saw my friends make. Most of my friends are either in the streets, jail or dead. I thank God I was able to overcome all of that.”
Competing amongst the best football players in the world isn’t Lewis’ only motivation to make it. His family back in Florida inspires him to give that extra push so that he can prove to them that they can be successful as well.
“My family gives me the strength to keep going out there. They all believe in me. I just want to be able to take care of them. I want them to look at my situation so that it could motivate them to do better with their lives.”
Speaking of family, Lewis gets a ton of support from his fiancé and fellow Alcorn alum Carman Campbell. She has faith in his ability to accomplish his top goal.
“I believe in Terrance just as much as he believes in himself. I have a lot of love for him,” said Carman.
When Lewis isn’t working as a full-time sales consultant at Gray Daniels Chevrolet in Jackson, Miss., he sharpens his skills at D1 Sports located in Madison, Miss. Lewis’ regimen includes training twice a day starting with weight lifting in the morning and skill and footwork in the evenings. Deon Hodges, a Moss Point, Miss. native who has been Lewis’ trainer since January, said that his work ethic is unmatched.
“Terrance is looking very well. He is a very dedicated individual that doesn’t shy away from hard work,” said Hodges. “I feel that he has a next level work ethic. He trains with a chip on his shoulder, weather it is the drive to provide for his family or to prove all of his critics wrong.”
Because of the work that Lewis has put in and the encouragement that he gives him, Hodges can see Lewis playing in front of thousands on Sundays.
“Terrance’s chances of making an NFL roster are very high. I constantly remind him that it only takes one team to like you. Whichever organization gives him that chance, they will be highly impressed with his effort.”
Lewis knows that his dedication to the game will get his foot in the door one day. He believes that with faith, all things are possible.
“I think that I just have to keep working hard, stay hungry and keep knocking on doors. I have to keep God first and leave the rest in his hands.”
