Former USC Trojans linebacker David Lewis, who was the acting head football coach at Tampa Catholic High School, passed away on Tuesday at age 65.
Lewis had previously had a heart attack, and had a pacemaker, but an immediate cause of death was unknown.
#FightOnForever, David Lewis.
The All-Conference OLB, who made a game-changing play in USC's legendary comeback against Notre Dame in the 1974 national championship season, died on Tuesday. He was 65. pic.twitter.com/wjXTmERslo
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) July 15, 2020
Lewis starred at USC in the mid-1970’s, earning All-Conference honors in 1976. He also came up huge in 1974 against Notre Dame, and eventually was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 1977 NFL draft.
Lewis was a Pro Bowler in 1980 with the Bucs, where he played until getting traded to the Bears in 1982.
Despite finishing his career in Chicago, Lewis ended up back in Tampa Bay as a coach, spending the majority of his life after playing as the coach at Tampa Catholic.
“He was more than humble; very, very humble,” current Tampa Catholic coach Jeris McIntyre said. “Didn’t talk much about himself, but he always let us know that ‘hey, I’ve been there, done that,’ but he wasn’t gonna boast about himself.”
Lewis is survived by his wife and daughter.
[lawrence-related id=9183]