RICHARD LEWIS (1976-79)

Because of the spotlight they're in, athletes are regarded as role models, whether they like it or not. Some do not accept this responsibility, while others embrace it wholeheartedly, and do whatever they can to contribute to the greater community. Fortunately for Toronto, Richard Lewis fell into the latter category.

A linebacker with the Argos in the late '70's, Lewis was a hard-working character player on one of the top defensive units in the league. However, his greatest achievements probably occurred away from the football field, where he did numerous charity appearances on behalf of the team, ran an annual football clinic, and founded the Toronto chapter of "Goals For Youth", an alternative school affiliated with the Dufferin-Peel Roman Catholic School Board that helps youth at risk from dropping out of school.

"After I left football, I got involved with a lot of church work," said Lewis, an ordained minister who left to start "Goals For Youth" in 1986. In a given year, Lewis will speak at assemblies and give seminars to an estimated 2000 students, and has been assisted in the past by former CFLers such as Lance Shields, Maurice Martin, Nelson Martin, Andre Francis and Eugene Clark. "Goals For Youth" was started in various NFL cities in the 1970's, and Lewis was previously involved with this program in Buffalo in the early-80's. After graduating from Portland State University, Lewis played for three NFL teams before coming to the Argos, including the Buffalo Bills, where he had some exciting memories.

"A real highlight I had was when we were playing the New York Jets in 1974 and I intercepted a Joe Namath pass," said Lewis, who was also in Shea Stadium playing for the Bills the day O.J. Simpson broke the 2,000-yard rushing barrier in 1973. Considering him an old friend and former teammate, Lewis seemed a little uneasy about the whole circus surrounding Simpson the murder suspect, and refused to either indict or endorse him, and simply characterized the whole situation as "sad".

As for his own personal life, Lewis is living happily in Mississauga with his wife Jacqui and kids Chance (a football player at Cawthra Park High School), Royce and Lavonne. Lewis also coaches football on an occasional basis at local camps, and wants to acquire a semi-pro team for Toronto.

"A lot of players have the ability to play, but have not had the university experience," said Lewis, who previously coached the Toronto Athletics of the Mid-Continental Football League a few years back.


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