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The University of Mississippi Athletics
SPOTLIGHT: Living Out A Childhood Dream
10/22/2009 | Football
By Morgan Adams
Athletics Media Relations Assistant
All across America most little boys have one thing in common; they all want to be a pro athlete when they grow up. They want to hit a grand slam at Fenway Park or score a touchdown at Cowboy Stadium. In a back yard somewhere or on a city street there is a kid pretending to be Brett Favre, Eli Manning, Patrick Willis, Derek Jeter or Albert Pujols. They dream of playing for their favorite college and becoming an Aggie, Rebel, Gator, Sooner and so on. Being in the spotlight, playing with friends and being drafted is their idea of the perfect future. Ole Miss senior safety Kendrick Lewis was that six-year-old boy once, and now he is living out his childhood fantasies. However, one powerful hurricane almost changed all of that.
In August of 2005, Katrina, one of the five deadliest hurricanes to ever hit the United States, swept across New Orleans, La. Lewis managed to flee to Houston, Texas with his uncle the day before Katrina hit. Having no contact with his family that was left behind, Lewis was uncertain of their fate. Lewis stayed with relatives in Houston for a few days while trying to locate his family members. Despite severe devastation, Lewis' family was all accounted for in the end.
"We had to pick up my grandmother and other family members from the Astrodome. They had to sleep on the Bridge (in New Orleans)," Lewis said. "My mom lost her house, my grandmother lost her house, and several of my aunts and uncles lost their houses. Our neighborhood was hit very hard."
Lewis' mom found a house in Georgia and later moved the family there. Lewis had to pick up and move across the country his senior year of high school.
"It seemed hopeless at first, but I just had a player's mentality about it. I wanted to play with my team (O. Perry Walker High School in New Orleans), but I was thankful to get a second chance to play ball in Georgia."
Lewis had to put this mentality into practice again after he arrived at Ole Miss. After playing his freshman year at wide receiver, he was moved to safety, where he has excelled. In his first season on defense (2007), Lewis saw action in all 12 games with seven starts.
Lewis commented on the effect this position change had on him. "Early on it was tough, just with the physical nature of it. But since then I've adapted, and I have the defensive mentality now; I love it. I took the approach of working hard at being the best at it. That's just the competitor I have in me, and I worked hard to be the best I could be."
In 2008, Lewis, who wears No. 1, was part of a defense that saw major improvements and became known as the "Landsharks." Starting all 13 games at free safety, Lewis led the team and ranked 14th in the SEC in tackles with 85. He also topped the squad in interceptions (4) and tied for the team lead in pass break-ups (6), while helping the Rebels to a 9-4 record and a Cotton Bowl victory.
"Fans can expect to see us play hard, with lots of passion. We are going to go out and ball; fly around, make plays and have fun," Lewis said with a smile.
As a kid, everyone has a dream, and Lewis is living his. He rose out of tragedy and overcame overwhelming odds. Lewis advises, "If it's something you love to do, just stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize. Don't get distracted by the minor things, and this will help you in a lot of ways."
Though Lewis considers Ole Miss his home, New Orleans still calls to him. To be drafted and possibly play for the New Orleans Saints would be fulfilling his ultimate dream.
"I love the Saints, but I'm going to leave it up to God, keep doing what I have to do, and hopefully it works out."
No matter the outcome, Lewis is happy to be a Rebel and humbled by being lucky enough to play out his childhood dreams.
