Jamal Lewis

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

After the 2005 season, the Ravens declined to place the franchise tag on Lewis, making him an unrestricted free agent. Despite this, the Ravens re-signed Lewis on March 13, 2006, with a three-year deal. On February 28, 2007, the Ravens announced that they released Lewis. Lewis then signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns before the 2007 season.

In Their Own Story

The 2007 season showcased Lewis's enduring power despite the change of scenery. Entering Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Lewis faced a defense expecting a gradual return to form. Instead, he delivered a masterclass in physical running, gaining 216 yards on 27 carries and scoring a touchdown to help secure a high-scoring 51–45 win. His consistency remained sharp as the season progressed; in Week 12 against the Houston Texans, he gained 134 rushing yards and another score on 29 carries. The momentum continued into Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills, where he rushed for 163 yards on 33 carries to lead an 8–0 victory. These performances culminated in a season total of 1,304 yards, his highest since setting the single-season record in 2003 with Baltimore. Lewis had successfully re-established himself as a premier ball-carrier in Cleveland.

Reader's Guide

Jamal Lewis is best known for his career as a Raven, where he contributed to the team winning Super Bowl XXXV as a rookie. He is the youngest player to both play in and win a Super Bowl. Lewis is also known for his outstanding 2003 season, where he rushed for 2,066 yards (third-most all-time, behind Eric Dickerson and Adrian Peterson) and was named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. That same year, Lewis also rushed for 295 yards in one game, which was the single-game record until Adrian Peterson rushed for 296 yards in 2007 against the San Diego Chargers. Lewis was inducted into the Ravens Ring of Honor in 2012.

Did You Know?

• Lewis rushed for 295 yards in a single game in 2003, falling just one yard short of Walter Payton's then-NFL record of 296 yards.
• Lewis won a Super Bowl with the Ravens, but he is not the youngest player to ever achieve that feat.
• Lewis rushed for 2,066 yards in 2003, joining the 2,000 rushing yards club.
• He was selected fifth overall in the 2000 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens.