Darren Lewis: A Texas A&M Legend’s Tumultuous Journey
Darren Lewis, known as "Tank" during his time at Texas A&M, shattered records and expectations. Emerging from Dallas’ Carter High School, he was in the same breath as Emmitt Smith. Lewis ran for 5,012 yards from 1987 to 1990, eclipsing Eric Dickerson’s Southwest Conference record before bowl stats were counted. Despite being a two-time All-American and a top NFL prospect, his career took a tragic turn due to drug exposure during the draft process. Testing positive for cocaine, Lewis was drafted in the sixth round by the Chicago Bears, but his NFL career was brief and marred by challenges.
The Downfall and Struggles with Addiction
Lewis’ professional career was plagued by setbacks. Limited to five starts in 33 games, he managed just 431 rushing yards. Off the field, issues compounded as he faced domestic battery charges and was released from the Bears in 1993. Post-football life spiraled as he struggled with addiction. Following multiple arrests for shoplifting and robbery, Lewis was incarcerated on multiple occasions, including a 27-year sentence in 2014 for armed robbery. Despite these challenges, he admitted to his selfish choices and hoped his story would serve as a cautionary tale for the younger generation.
Redemption and Final Days
In his later years, Lewis found some peace, thanks to his strong faith and the support of former coaches like R.C. Slocum. Diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, he spent his final days in hospice care after being released as part of a compassionate release program. Reflecting on his life, Lewis expressed gratitude for his long sentence, believing it allowed him to turn things around spiritually. His final wish was for his tumultuous journey to provide a lesson, urging young people to make the right choices and avoid the pitfalls that claimed his promising career and life.
