Will Lewis (American football)


William L. Lewis is an American football executive and former professional player. He was most recently the assistant director of pro personnel for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. He was the general manager for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football. He previously served as an executive in the National Football League for 20 years, including tenures with the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. Most notably, he was the Seahawks vice president of football operations from 2010 to 2012.

Playing career

Lewis was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1980 out of Millersville State College — now Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He played in 26 NFL games, returning 45 kickoffs for a 21.4-yard average and 56 punts for an 8.0-yard average, including a 75-yard touchdown as a rookie versus the Denver Broncos. Following his NFL career, Lewis played three seasons in the United States Football League with the Denver Gold and Houston Gamblers. After the USFL's collapse, Lewis continued his playing career in the Canadian Football League. There he was a member of the Ottawa Roughriders, Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Executive career

Lewis was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League on May 16, 2013.
In 2018, Lewis became the general manager of the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football. The following year, he was hired by the XFL's Houston Roughnecks as assistant director of pro personnel under fellow ex-AAF GM Randy Mueller.

Personal life

Lewis is the father of Ryan Lewis, an NFL cornerback with the Miami Dolphins and a cousin of ESPN analyst Louis Riddick and Robb Riddick, who is a former running back for the Buffalo Bills.