From football to history: Former NFL cornerback Garry Lewis leads cultural efforts in southwest Mississippi

Former NFL cornerback Garry Lewis now leads Alcorn State’s Southwest Mississippi Center for Culture & Learning, helping communities preserve and share African American history.
 
By Roscoe Barnes III
The Natchez Democrat (7/1/2026)

Dr. Garry Lewis, former NFL cornerback and Alcorn State University alumnus, serves as executive director of the Southwest Mississippi Center for Culture & Learning at Alcorn State University. Photo courtesy of Garry Lewis. (Click on image to enlarge.)

LORMAN, Miss. – As a young man, Dr. Garry Lewis spent four seasons as an NFL cornerback, defending against some of football's toughest receivers. Today, the seasoned educator faces a different challenge: helping Mississippi communities navigate complex conversations about race and culture while preserving and sharing African American history.
 
As executive director of the Southwest Mississippi Center for Culture & Learning at Alcorn State University, Lewis works with community leaders, educators, historians, and cultural organizations to identify regional needs and support projects that preserve and share the area's rich history.
 
“I lead the institution’s efforts to preserve, interpret, and elevate the unique culture, history, and heritage of southwest Mississippi,” Lewis says. “My role blends strategic leadership, community partnership development, academic engagement, and cultural stewardship.”
Lewis began the position in May 2025. He says one of the most rewarding aspects of the role is meeting new people and sharing ideas to promote the region’s culture and community.
 
Education
 
Born and raised in New Orleans, Lewis graduated from Walter L. Cohen High School before attending Alcorn State University, where he lettered for the Braves. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in secondary education from Alcorn and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He and his wife, Cassandra, live in Vicksburg.
 
Over the past year, he has expanded educational programming by facilitating the showing of the documentary “Natchez” on Alcorn’s campus. “That was one of the biggest events that I enjoyed,” he says, adding he also valued taking students to The Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson.
 
In March 2026, Lewis facilitated the donation of Ser Seshsh Ab Heter-C. M. Boxley's “Forks of the Road” exhibit and research materials to the Center. Lewis displayed the exhibit at the Claiborne County Welcome & Heritage Center in Port Gibson and, on Friday, March 27, he hosted a symposium honoring Boxley alongside educators and community leaders.
 
Future projects

Lewis plans to host heritage events across multiple counties and develop the Welcome Center in Port Gibson into a tour-ready museum. He also hopes to organize student visits to the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and partner with Rev’s Country Tours in Natchez.
 
As Lewis advances these initiatives, he draws on lessons from his professional football career. “It’s important to stay focused, calm, and organized in every situation,” he says. “I also pay close attention to detail in order to succeed in everything I do.”
 

NFL Career

Lewis was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft as a cornerback.

Garry Lewis (#21), cornerback for the Los Angeles Raiders, points to an offensive player while signaling to his teammates that he'll take him. Photo courtesy of Garry Lewis. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Over four seasons (1990-1993), he played for the Los Angeles Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He later continued his career in Canada, playing for the Ottawa Rough Riders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1994 to 1996.

Lewis says being drafted was a great accomplishment and a big relief because his hard work and sacrifice had finally paid off. “I knew the NFL would give me a head start in life,” he says.
 
Interestingly, Lewis did not celebrate the accomplishment in the way that some might expect. “I didn’t celebrate after making it in the NFL because I was still hungry and had a lot more to prove -- to myself and to those who doubted me making it in the NFL. I bought the cheapest car, a Nissan Maxima. I loved that car because it represented everything about me -- a humble guy from uptown New Orleans who doesn’t take anything for granted.”
 
As Lewis reflects on his football career, he says there is one game that stands out in his memory: “The second pre-season game my rookie year stands out because the Raiders had no clue I was going to ball out like I did. Both the starting cornerback and backup got hurt in that game, and I had to play earlier than expected because I was the next man up. Everything the quarterback threw my way, I knocked down.”
 
After football
 
After football, Lewis transitioned into education. He spent a year teaching and coaching at Vicksburg High School before serving as an assistant professor at Alcorn State University and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He was later promoted to associate professor. In 2023, Lewis was inducted into Alcorn State University's Sports Hall of Fame as part of the A-Club Hall of Fame Class.
 
In April 2026, Lewis’ cousin, former Pittsburgh Steelers player Ryan Clark, shared a viral Instagram post praising Lewis. Clark said he admired his cousin and wanted to be just like him growing up. He recalled that Lewis spent quality time with him and encouraged him.
 
Clark attended Louisiana State University and went on to a successful NFL career, including a Super Bowl XLIII victory.
 
Those who know Lewis say success never changed him. He remains the same person many knew long before his NFL career.
 
Today, Lewis says the same discipline that fueled his NFL career continues to guide his efforts to preserve and elevate the history and culture of southwest Mississippi.