Chad Lewis
Chad Lewis (born October 5, 1971) is an American former professional football tight end and current college athletics administrator. He played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1997 to 2005 (with a brief stint on the St. Louis Rams in 1999), amassing 229 receptions for 2,361 yards and 23 touchdowns over 116 games. Undrafted out of college, Lewis earned three Pro Bowl selections (2000–2002), a Second-Team All-Pro honor in 2000, and contributed to the Eagles' appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX following the 2004 season.[1][2][3] Raised in Orem, Utah, Lewis walked on to the Brigham Young University (BYU) football team, where he started 22 games and established himself as one of the nation's top tight ends, concluding his collegiate career with 111 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns.[4][5] After going undrafted in the 1997 NFL Draft, he signed with the Eagles as a free agent and quickly rose to prominence, leading all NFL tight ends in receptions (69) and earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2000 while helping the team reach the playoffs.[1] His career was marked by resilience, including overcoming injuries such as a broken ankle in 1999 that led to his temporary move to the Rams before returning to Philadelphia later that year.[6] Following his retirement from the NFL after the 2005 season, Lewis transitioned into athletics administration, joining his alma mater BYU as associate athletic director for development, a role he has held since at least 2013, where he focuses on fundraising and program support.[7][8] He has also served as a motivational speaker, drawing on his experiences as an undrafted player who achieved elite status in professional football.[9]Early life
Family and upbringing
Chad Lewis was born on October 5, 1971, in Fort Dix, New Jersey, into a military family. His father, an Army doctor, was stationed at the base during this time.[10][11] At the age of three, Lewis's family relocated to Orem, Utah, where his father opened a private medical practice, allowing the family to settle in a stable community. Raised in a devout Latter-day Saints (LDS) household, Lewis was immersed in a faith-centered environment from an early age. His parents, described as wonderful and caring, instilled values of discipline and spirituality that shaped his character and laid the groundwork for his future LDS missionary service in Taiwan.[11][10][12] Lewis demonstrated early responsibility through odd jobs starting at age 10, such as delivering the Deseret News as a paperboy, cleaning his father's medical office, and bagging groceries at Albertsons, which built his work ethic and sense of accountability. His parents further reinforced faith and resilience by teaching gratitude and prayer as core family practices, even amid challenges, emphasizing unity and reliance on spiritual principles.[11][13] Early exposure to sports occurred through family and community activities in Orem, including flag football during his youth, which ignited his interest in athletics and supported his physical growth into a notably large child for his age. These formative experiences in a supportive LDS environment contributed to his discipline and passion, setting the stage for his transition to organized high school sports.[14][10]High school career
Chad Lewis attended Orem High School in Orem, Utah, where he emerged as a multi-sport athlete.[15] During his high school years, Lewis participated in football, basketball, and track and field, excelling particularly in football as a receiver and defensive back despite being a skinny and undersized prospect at the time.[10][16] He served as captain of the football team, lettered twice in the sport, and contributed to the Orem Tigers' state championship victory in 1987.[15][16] In track, Lewis lettered once and was the high-point scorer for the team during the 1989 season, specializing in the high jump.[15] His family provided strong support for his athletic pursuits, fostering a competitive environment among siblings who also played sports.[16] As a non-blue-chip recruit, Lewis faced significant challenges in gaining attention from major college programs due to his slight build, ultimately leading him to pursue walk-on opportunities after high school and a church mission.[17][10]College career
Brigham Young University
Chad Lewis enrolled at Brigham Young University in 1993 following the completion of his two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taichung, Taiwan, where he served from 1990 to 1992.[15][18] Having decided during his mission to pursue higher education at BYU while aspiring to join the football program, Lewis arrived on campus with no athletic scholarship and tried out as a walk-on player.[18] His high school background at Orem High School provided the foundational athletic experience that motivated this ambitious step.[10] As a walk-on tight end, Lewis initially faced the challenges of integrating into a competitive Division I program, adjusting to the higher intensity and physical demands of college football under head coach LaVell Edwards, who led BYU from 1972 to 2000.[9] This period required rapid adaptation to the team's structured practices, academic commitments, and the cultural emphasis on discipline within the university's faith-based environment.[19] Edwards' innovative passing offense and emphasis on player development offered Lewis an opportunity to hone his skills, drawing on his mission-honed resilience to navigate the transition from non-scholarship status.[9] Over his four seasons from 1993 to 1996, Lewis's role evolved significantly, progressing from a walk-on contributor to a scholarship player and eventual four-year starter at tight end.[9][20] This advancement reflected his consistent work ethic and growing contributions to the team's offensive scheme, culminating in recognition as one of the program's top performers by his senior year.[15] Academically, Lewis majored in communication studies, earning three-time Academic All-WAC honors and the 1996 Academic All-American award, before graduating in 1997.[19]Athletic achievements
During his time at Brigham Young University, Chad Lewis established himself as a reliable tight end, starting in 22 games and accumulating 111 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns over his collegiate career.[15][5] His consistent production included a notable streak of 24 consecutive games with at least one reception, highlighting his reliability as a target in the Cougars' passing attack.[4] Lewis earned several accolades for his on-field performance, including honorable mention All-America honors from the United Press International (UPI) and selections to the first-team All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 1995 and first-team All-WAC in 1996.[15][10][21] In key games, Lewis delivered standout efforts, such as catching seven passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in BYU's season-opening 41-37 victory over Texas A&M in 1996.[22] He also contributed significantly in the postseason, recording five receptions for 79 yards in the 1996 Cotton Bowl win against Kansas State (19-15), and scoring on a 30-yard touchdown reception during the WAC Championship overtime victory over Wyoming (28-25).[22] Against rival Utah, he hauled in two catches for 22 yards in a 37-17 BYU triumph.[22]Professional career
Early NFL years
After going undrafted in the 1997 NFL Draft, Chad Lewis signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent, beginning his professional career as a tight end.[6][1] During his initial stint with the Eagles from 1997 to 1999, Lewis had a limited role, appearing in 24 games and recording 20 receptions for 182 yards and 7 touchdowns. In his rookie season of 1997, he played all 16 games, catching 12 passes for 94 yards and 4 touchdowns, including his first career score on October 26 against the Washington Redskins.[23][6] However, a broken ankle limited him to just 2 games in 1998 with no receptions.[6] Following his injury recovery, Lewis was waived by the Eagles and signed with the St. Louis Rams in early 1999, where he played in 6 games during the regular season, contributing minimally with 1 reception for 12 yards. He was waived by the Rams after 10 weeks and re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in November 1999, appearing in 6 games for the remainder of the season and adding 7 receptions for 76 yards and 3 touchdowns.[6][24] This brief transition between teams highlighted the instability of his early professional years, though his perseverance echoed his walk-on beginnings at Brigham Young University.[15]Philadelphia Eagles tenure
After being released by the St. Louis Rams late in the 1999 season, Chad Lewis rejoined the Philadelphia Eagles in November of that year, but his full resurgence came in 2000 when he signed a restricted free agent contract and became a starter.[25] In his first complete season back, Lewis led all NFL tight ends with 69 receptions for 735 yards and three touchdowns, earning Second-Team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection for his dual-threat abilities in receiving and blocking.[1][26] His performance helped solidify the Eagles' passing attack under quarterback Donovan McNabb, marking a pivotal shift from his earlier journeyman role. Lewis's peak with the Eagles continued through 2001 and 2002, seasons in which he earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods for his leadership on offense. In 2001, he recorded 41 receptions for 422 yards and a career-high six touchdowns, while in 2002, he contributed 42 catches for 398 yards and three scores, praised for his improved blocking that opened lanes for the running game.[1] These years showcased his versatility as a tight end, blending reliable receiving with physical play in the trenches, which was instrumental in the Eagles' offensive evolution under head coach Andy Reid.[26] A highlight of Lewis's tenure came in the playoffs, particularly his iconic performance in the 2004 NFC Championship Game against the Atlanta Falcons, where he caught two touchdown passes, including a crucial five-yard score from McNabb that helped secure a 27-10 victory and propelled Philadelphia to Super Bowl XXXIX—the team's first appearance in 24 years.[27] Over his Eagles prime, Lewis was a key contributor to the team's sustained excellence, including four consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances from 2001 to 2004, though they fell short in the first three.[1] His efforts in these high-stakes contests underscored his role as a clutch performer in Philadelphia's postseason pushes.Later career and retirement
Following the Philadelphia Eagles' appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX, tight end Chad Lewis faced a significant setback from a Lisfranc foot injury sustained during the 2004 NFC Championship Game, where he caught two touchdown passes, including the game-clincher.[6] The injury, which required surgery to insert two titanium screws, sidelined him for the Super Bowl and the early part of the 2005 season as he underwent over nine months of rehabilitation in Utah.[6] Despite the challenges, Lewis returned to the Eagles midway through the 2005 campaign, providing depth at tight end in a limited role.[6] In his final NFL season, Lewis appeared in eight games but recorded only five receptions for 64 yards, reflecting the ongoing effects of his recovery and the team's evolving roster dynamics after their prior playoff successes.[28] He contributed modestly in the latter part of the schedule, including one catch in each of the final two regular-season games against the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Redskins.[29] Lewis announced his retirement from the NFL after the 2005 season, at age 34, citing the need to prioritize family time and his long-term health following the debilitating foot injury.[11] Over nine professional seasons with the Eagles and St. Louis Rams, he played in 116 games, establishing himself as a reliable blocker and occasional red-zone threat who helped anchor Philadelphia's offense during its most successful era.[1]Career statistics
Regular season statistics
Chad Lewis appeared in 116 regular season games over nine NFL seasons from 1997 to 2005, primarily as a tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles, with a brief stint split between the Eagles and St. Louis Rams in 1999.[1]| Year | Team | GP | Rec | Yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | PHI | 16 | 12 | 94 | 4 |
| 1998 | PHI | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | PHI/STL | 12 | 8 | 88 | 3 |
| 2000 | PHI | 16 | 69 | 735 | 3 |
| 2001 | PHI | 15 | 41 | 422 | 6 |
| 2002 | PHI | 16 | 42 | 398 | 3 |
| 2003 | PHI | 16 | 23 | 293 | 1 |
| 2004 | PHI | 15 | 29 | 267 | 3 |
| 2005 | PHI | 8 | 5 | 64 | 0 |
| Career | 116 | 229 | 2,361 | 23 |
Postseason statistics
Chad Lewis participated in five postseason appearances with the Philadelphia Eagles spanning the 2000 to 2004 NFL seasons, accumulating 11 games played, 38 receptions, 409 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns.[30] His playoff contributions were primarily with the Eagles, who reached the NFC Championship in three of those years (2001, 2002, and 2004 seasons). The following table summarizes his yearly postseason receiving statistics:| Year | Games | Receptions | Yards | Yards per Reception | Touchdowns | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 | 6 | 51 | 8.5 | 0 | 27 |
| 2001 | 3 | 12 | 145 | 12.1 | 1 | 60 |
| 2002 | 2 | 8 | 87 | 10.9 | 0 | 65 |
| 2003 | 2 | 8 | 106 | 13.3 | 0 | 69 |
| 2004 | 2 | 4 | 20 | 5.0 | 2 | 20 |
| Career | 11 | 38 | 409 | 10.8 | 3 | 69 |