Last season, Chris Lewis emerged as a fan favorite thanks to his highlight-reel catches, but over the offseason, there was a completely different reason he was in the eyes of the media. Lewis has battled cancer the entire offseason, but this has not stopped him from still making an impact on the team.
After an MRI revealed a bone tumor behind Lewis’s knee, the star wideout was forced to sideline himself for treatments during offseason workouts.
“I was at a loss for words,” said Lewis in his interview with Pete Thamel in an ESPN article. “I had so many questions.”
Lewis had the tumor surgically removed in the spring after 10 weeks of chemotherapy. Fans anxiously awaited on news for his 2024 status, so Lewis went to X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce his intentions.
“There is nothing more that I want than to be back in The Vet this fall, wearing Cardinal and White and playing side by side with my brothers,” said Lewis in his post on X. “Unfortunately, the effects of my treatments will not allow me to suit up and play during the 2024 season.”
Despite Lewis not being able to play on the field this season, his impact will still be felt, this time from the sidelines.
“My story is nowhere near complete, and I am blessed to announce I will be running out of the tunnel as a student assistant coach this fall,” Lewis said.
The team and fanbase immediately responded to Lewis’s announcement on social media.
“All love for our guy Chris Lew, look forward to having you back here with us,” said Coach Parker on X.
“A great player but an even better person who needs all our continued support. So thankful that he will be with the team this fall,” said Troy Athletic Director Brent Jones in a post on X.
If you want to continue to support Lewis in his battle for cancer you can donate to his GoFundMe that has currently raised $21,503. Lewis’s coaching career starts August 31 at 6 p.m. when Troy opens the season against Nevada.
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