Marcedes Lewis

Lore & Background

Lewis was born on May 19, 1984, in Los Alamitos, California. He graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California, where he played high school football for the Jackrabbits. In 2001, Lewis competed in a nationally televised game against De La Salle of Concord, California. As a senior, he was named as a Parade magazine high school All-American and was considered a top prospect by all major recruiting services.

He attended UCLA and played college football for the Bruins from 2002 to 2005. In 49 games with the Bruins, he started 32. Lewis ranks ninth on the school's overall career-record receiving list and first among tight ends with 126 receptions, holding the UCLA tight end all-time records with 1,571 yards receiving and 21 touchdowns. As a senior in 2005, he was a first-team All-Pacific-10 selection, a consensus All-American, and won the John Mackey Award.

Lewis was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 2022 class. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round (28th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft. He played college football at UCLA with running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who was also selected on the first day by the Jaguars. In July 2006, Lewis signed a five-year, $7.5 million contract with $4.9 million guaranteed.

Lewis made his NFL debut in Week 2 of the 2006 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 9–0 victory. He scored his first professional touchdown on a one-yard reception from David Garrard in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills. Lewis finished his rookie season with 13 receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown in 15 games and three starts. Lewis' role expanded in the 2007 season with 37 receptions for 391 yards and two touchdowns.

He started all 16 games in his second year. In 2008, Lewis started all 16 games once again and recorded 41 receptions for 489 yards and two touchdowns. In the 2009 season, Lewis started all 16 games and recorded 32 receptions for 518 yards and two touchdowns. In the 2010 season, Lewis matched the Jaguars single-season touchdown receptions record with a total of 10 and was selected to his first Pro Bowl.

He started all 16 games and had three games with multiple receiving touchdowns. Due in part to the 2011 NFL lockout, the Jaguars placed the franchise tag on Lewis on February 24, 2011.

Reader's Guide

Marcedes Lewis is a tight end known for his longevity and blocking ability. He played 12 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he was a Pro Bowl selection in 2010. He later played for the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Denver Broncos. He holds the record for most career games played by a tight end (272).

Did You Know?

• He broke Jason Witten's record for most career games played by a tight end (272) in 2024.
• At age 41, Lewis became the oldest tight end to play in an NFL game and the oldest player in Broncos history.