LINCOLN, Calif. — The San Franscico 49ers are headed to Super Bowl LVIII and will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.
One man that is surely rooting for the 49ers victory is retired 49ers defensive back Eddie Lewis.
The former 49er calls a quiet ranch in Lincoln home, and you might be surprised to learn the football star’s passion didn't start on the football field.
“My true love was track," Lewis said. "I was all American track in high school, and football."
He said education always came first for him, and his diploma from the University of Kansas hanging on his office wall, sharing that it’s one if his biggest accomplishments.
After he graduated college, he was drafted to the San Francisco 49ers. The other side of his office is lined with photos of his NFL career highlights.
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He described his rookie season being like a kid at Disneyland, eager and full of curiosity. Reality set in during his first NFL games.
“You are getting paid for it," Lewis said. "So, it's real and you have to perform.”
He said it takes a lot of work to play in the league.
"I tell people better plays are made in practice than on the field," he said. "One of the most important things players have to do is study. If you can't remember the plays and can't do the plays, then you get somebody to hurt or you get a touchdown made on you.”
Lewis is still studying the 49ers moves today.
Showing us the 2023 49ers yearbook filled with pages of players, Lewis said this year's team has been successful because the players work well together.
“The 49ers have a lot of weapons now: Kittle, Deebo, Aiyuk and the quarterback of course,” Lewis added. “McCaffrey, he’s the bomb. So, if he doesn’t make MVP, I don’t know who should.”
As for the Super Bowl, Lewis shares that the 49ers already know what they have to do.
“They're going to lay it all out on the line and go for it,” he said.
Lewis said he lives by these words: If you believe in yourself and continue to work hard things will work out for you. He said "he believed" in Brock Purdy, who was the last player picked in the 2022 NFL draft.
