Former Bucs LB David Lewis Dies at 65

Local high school coach played a key role in Tampa Bay's early success.

David Lewis, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker who played a key role in the team's first run of success, has died at the age of 65.

A second round pick in the 1977 NFL Draft out of USC, Lewis became one of many defensive playmakers for a Bucs team that quickly went from an NFL laughingstock to division champs and challenging for a Super Bowl run. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1980, and spent five of his seven NFL seasons in Tampa Bay, playing the best football of his career for the Bucs.

Most recently, Lewis was coaching high school football at Tampa Catholic, where he was beloved by players and fellow coaches alike.


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