Alabama State University football defensive coordinator Ryan Lewis Sr. is celebrating a significant milestone during the 2024 season, marking his first year cancer-free after battling jaw cancer before the 2023 football season.
Initially, Lewis was taken aback by the diagnosis. “I thought it was a joke,” he recalled, suspecting it could be a misdiagnosis. Despite doctors advising him to sit out the first game against Southern University, he remained committed to coaching the Hornets’ defense.
Drawing strength from his faith and the principles he learned in football about handling sudden changes, Lewis refused to let his circumstances dictate his passion for the game. “You can’t allow things that happen bad to affect the next day,” Lewis said.
His determination paid off, as he was able to return to coaching just in time for the season, attributing his recovery to the unwavering support of his family, friends, and the university community. He expressed that overcoming cancer felt like receiving a “second life.”
Lewis now channels his experience to motivate his players, emphasizing the value of life. “Life is so precious. When you get to a point where you’re dealing with life and death, man, football is just the icing on the cake,” he stated.
Following his battle with cancer, Lewis underwent reconstructive surgery on his jaw.