TAMPA, Fla. – David Lewis, a key member of the 1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that reached the NFC title, died. He was 65 years old.
Lewis died Tuesday in Tampa. The cause was not immediately known, but he had had health problems in recent years, according to USC, where he played in college.
He was chosen in the second round as outside linebacker by the Buccaneers in 1977 and played for them until 1981, including an appearance in the 1980 Pro Bowl.
Lewis was one of the defensive stars on the 1979 team that reached the NFC title, crowning the franchise’s “worst to first” transformation. The Bucs won 10 games that year after having won just seven in the previous three seasons of the franchise.
Lewis also played for the San Diego Chargers in 1982 and the Los Angeles Rams in 1983.
After leaving the NFL, Lewis began a long career as a prep coach. He trained at Tampa Catholic High from 1986 to 1990, compiling a 33-19 record and earning a district title. He still served on the Crusaders’ staff in his death, working primarily from a golf cart in recent years.
At USC, Lewis wrote from 1974 to 1976, having previously played at San Diego City College. In his senior year, he was an All-Pac-8 first-team pick. As a junior, he led USC in tackles (90). Lewis played on USC teams that won the Rose Bowl in 1975 and 1977.
He made a game-changing play in USC’s comeback victory over Notre Dame in 1974, when the Trojans won the national championship. USC was 24-0 just before halftime and then scored 55 consecutive points for the victory. Lewis’ hit on Irish kick returner Mark McLane on the 8-yard line at the start of the second half helped change the game.
He is survived by his wife and daughter. He was deceased by his son.
.
