By Peter Cordi
On Wednesday, April 22, 2015, I was honored to interview CFL Great, Nik Lewis. Lewis has been playing in the CFL since 2004. He hit the ground running, winning Rookie of the Year and never looked back. Last season, he helped lead the Calgary Stampeders to a Grey Cup victory. In March, 2015 he signed with the Montreal Alouettes.
Peter Cordi: The nickname Da Lew Lew- who gave you that name and when? Was it something your friends called you or something your teammates call you?
Nik Lewis: Ken-Yon Rambo started calling me Lew Lew, and I just started using it. Don't really remember what year.
Peter Cordi: With all your success in the CFL, have you ever had any offers from NFL teams?
Nik Lewis: My owner and GM called me into the office and told me 12 teams had called with interest about me coming to training camp in 2006, But when they offered me a new contract I decided to stay and not test the waters.
Peter Cordi: Was this due to your loyalty to the Stampeders?
Nik Lewis: Not really, I had success in the CFL I was comfortable. I didn't get the opportunity a couple years earlier so I took the guaranteed money. I know in my heart that I could've played in the NFL. But maybe for one year, maybe more- we will never know. But I think I made best decision for me.
Peter Cordi: What NFL team did you grow up watching?
Nik Lewis: Dallas Cowboys.
Peter Cordi: How did it feel winning the Grey Cup last year? Was it a relief or something so much more? What was your thought process?
Nik Lewis: I was a leader of men, that was the best part and the fact I lead them to a Championship is the best feeling in sports. I feel gratified. It was a challenging year for me but that made it even better to know what I overcame personally. It allowed me to lead better. I wasn't the only leader, Juwan Simpson was also a great leader that we banded and week in and week out helped our team prepare and win. I'm glad I finished my career in Calgary with a Grey Cup.
Peter Cordi: About leadership- a sense of humor is one of the most important traits a leader should have, and as it says In your twitter bio, you were voted 6th funniest athlete of all time. How much did your sense of humor as well as your experience help you lead your team all the way?
Nik Lewis: Keeping the guys loose enough to play free but focused enough to play great. They knew when I was serious. Healthy balance.
Peter Cordi: What led to your departure from Calgary?
Nik Lewis: It was time. It ran its course. I'm happy with what I accomplished there personally and in the team aspect. The people are too. It was a mutual parting and I left a better man than when I came in It's a business and they showed me respect the whole time. They were upfront on what they wanted from me. I wanted more because I didn't finish the way I wanted personally.
Peter Cordi: After your injury and slower recovery than expected, do you think you can return to your all-star level with a fresh start in Montreal?
Nik Lewis: Yes, I gained a great deal of confidence in the mini camp in Florida last week. It's not just in my mind that I can. Others believe too.
Peter Cordi: You play slot back- is that similar to a slot receiver in American football? And what is the biggest difference between American and Canadian football, since you have excelled at both?
Nik Lewis: No it’s different. I've enjoyed both. It's more challenging to play 2 down football over 3 downs. Anything can happen and wow it's great!
Read up on the slotback position here.
Peter Cordi: You were voted the toughest player to take down in the entire CFL- what got you so tough?
Nik Lewis: I used to always play tackle football as a kid and would play 2-1 on the trampoline or 3 on 4 in a field. Loved being the underdog.
Peter Cordi: Who inspired you as a kid? Be it a musician, athlete, relative, etc.
Nik Lewis: My grandfather. He worked hard everyday but still made time for me. WR-wise, Michael Irvin. I loved how physical he was and his playmaking abilities. I actually met him when u was training after college. He talked to me and it was great- I was training.
Peter Cordi: Last question- you're one of the great players in the CFL's long history, especially for the Calgary Stampeders, so obviously many kids look up to you. What would you like to say to them- any wisdom you would like to bestow upon your child fans that you wish you had when you were a kid?
Nik Lewis: Always make Sports Plan B, never Plan A. Because in our minds if we don't accomplish Plan A, we feel like failures. But it's not our choice to play pro sports, it's someone else's choice. It's better to be smarter than a better athlete. But give yourself the best chance to make it, and if it happens great and if not, then oh well. Have fun playing as long as you can play. Use the discipline and hard work that you learn in sports and apply it to school and whatever job you have in the future. Life is a beautiful thing when you can be great at something- it doesn't just have to be sports. Good luck and God Bless when u can be great at something.
Inspiring words from Nik Lewis that everybody of all ages should take to heart.
You heard it here at Field Generals- I’m Peter Cordi and it was an honor and a humbling experience to interview Nik Lewis!
You can contact Peter Cordi via Twitter @PeterCordi
On Wednesday, April 22, 2015, I was honored to interview CFL Great, Nik Lewis. Lewis has been playing in the CFL since 2004. He hit the ground running, winning Rookie of the Year and never looked back. Last season, he helped lead the Calgary Stampeders to a Grey Cup victory. In March, 2015 he signed with the Montreal Alouettes.
Peter Cordi: The nickname Da Lew Lew- who gave you that name and when? Was it something your friends called you or something your teammates call you?
Nik Lewis: Ken-Yon Rambo started calling me Lew Lew, and I just started using it. Don't really remember what year.
Peter Cordi: With all your success in the CFL, have you ever had any offers from NFL teams?
Nik Lewis: My owner and GM called me into the office and told me 12 teams had called with interest about me coming to training camp in 2006, But when they offered me a new contract I decided to stay and not test the waters.
Peter Cordi: Was this due to your loyalty to the Stampeders?
Nik Lewis: Not really, I had success in the CFL I was comfortable. I didn't get the opportunity a couple years earlier so I took the guaranteed money. I know in my heart that I could've played in the NFL. But maybe for one year, maybe more- we will never know. But I think I made best decision for me.
Peter Cordi: What NFL team did you grow up watching?
Nik Lewis: Dallas Cowboys.
Peter Cordi: How did it feel winning the Grey Cup last year? Was it a relief or something so much more? What was your thought process?
Nik Lewis: I was a leader of men, that was the best part and the fact I lead them to a Championship is the best feeling in sports. I feel gratified. It was a challenging year for me but that made it even better to know what I overcame personally. It allowed me to lead better. I wasn't the only leader, Juwan Simpson was also a great leader that we banded and week in and week out helped our team prepare and win. I'm glad I finished my career in Calgary with a Grey Cup.
Peter Cordi: About leadership- a sense of humor is one of the most important traits a leader should have, and as it says In your twitter bio, you were voted 6th funniest athlete of all time. How much did your sense of humor as well as your experience help you lead your team all the way?
Nik Lewis: Keeping the guys loose enough to play free but focused enough to play great. They knew when I was serious. Healthy balance.
Peter Cordi: What led to your departure from Calgary?
Nik Lewis: It was time. It ran its course. I'm happy with what I accomplished there personally and in the team aspect. The people are too. It was a mutual parting and I left a better man than when I came in It's a business and they showed me respect the whole time. They were upfront on what they wanted from me. I wanted more because I didn't finish the way I wanted personally.
Peter Cordi: After your injury and slower recovery than expected, do you think you can return to your all-star level with a fresh start in Montreal?
Nik Lewis: Yes, I gained a great deal of confidence in the mini camp in Florida last week. It's not just in my mind that I can. Others believe too.
Peter Cordi: You play slot back- is that similar to a slot receiver in American football? And what is the biggest difference between American and Canadian football, since you have excelled at both?
Nik Lewis: No it’s different. I've enjoyed both. It's more challenging to play 2 down football over 3 downs. Anything can happen and wow it's great!
Read up on the slotback position here.
Peter Cordi: You were voted the toughest player to take down in the entire CFL- what got you so tough?
Nik Lewis: I used to always play tackle football as a kid and would play 2-1 on the trampoline or 3 on 4 in a field. Loved being the underdog.
Peter Cordi: Who inspired you as a kid? Be it a musician, athlete, relative, etc.
Nik Lewis: My grandfather. He worked hard everyday but still made time for me. WR-wise, Michael Irvin. I loved how physical he was and his playmaking abilities. I actually met him when u was training after college. He talked to me and it was great- I was training.
Peter Cordi: Last question- you're one of the great players in the CFL's long history, especially for the Calgary Stampeders, so obviously many kids look up to you. What would you like to say to them- any wisdom you would like to bestow upon your child fans that you wish you had when you were a kid?
Nik Lewis: Always make Sports Plan B, never Plan A. Because in our minds if we don't accomplish Plan A, we feel like failures. But it's not our choice to play pro sports, it's someone else's choice. It's better to be smarter than a better athlete. But give yourself the best chance to make it, and if it happens great and if not, then oh well. Have fun playing as long as you can play. Use the discipline and hard work that you learn in sports and apply it to school and whatever job you have in the future. Life is a beautiful thing when you can be great at something- it doesn't just have to be sports. Good luck and God Bless when u can be great at something.
Inspiring words from Nik Lewis that everybody of all ages should take to heart.
You heard it here at Field Generals- I’m Peter Cordi and it was an honor and a humbling experience to interview Nik Lewis!
You can contact Peter Cordi via Twitter @PeterCordi