Jess Lewis
Former Oregon State two-sport standout Jess Lewis is one of 76 Bowl Subdivision players to be included on the 2012 College Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ballot, the National Football Foundation announced Tuesday.
Lewis is one of the school’s best ever multi-sport athletes, competing in both football and wrestling. In football he was honored as a two-time All-Pac-8 Conference defensive tackle and was a 1967 All-American.
The a native of Aumsville may be most remembered on the gridiron for his game-saving tackle of O.J. Simpson in OSU’s 3-0 1967 victory over No. 1 ranked USC.
On the wrestling mat, Lewis won three conference and two NCAA heavyweight titles, and competed internationally in the Olympic and World University Games.
“Jess is truly one of the greats to have ever competed at OSU and is very deserving of being on the ballot,” athletic director Bob De Carolis said in a press release. “Not only is his on the field achievements well-documented, but he also has been an inspirational counselor for those fighting substance abuse.”
Lewis is a member of both the State of Oregon and OSU Sports Halls of Fame. He currently is an employee of OSU Athletics.
The Hall of Fame Class will be announced May 15 and inducted at the 55th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 4 at the landmark Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
OSU is represented in the HoF by former running back Bill Enyart (inducted last year), Heisman Trophy quarterback Terry Baker and former head coach Tommy Prothro.
2 comments
dunerat says:
Feb 28, 2012
Where’s all the Pro Track fans out there that said Wrestling doesn’t provide good Football Players. What sports did Jess Lewis play?
David (Sam) Sandberg says:
Feb 29, 2012
Jess Lewis is every bit and more the hero he was in 1967. His “hobby” is cutting firewood and donating it to locals in need. I’ve had the honor of meeting him because he oversees the grounds at OSU, and is easy to find around Reser. OJ in prison and Jess in the HoF is justice to him and to athletics. A fine man 45 years and counting after football.
/Sam Sandberg/