Michael Lewis ( safety ) Michael Milton Lewis ( born April 29 , 1980 ) is an American football strong safety who is currently a free agent of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft . He played college football at Colorado . Lewis has also played for the San Francisco 49ers . He was a Pro Bowl selection with the Eagles in 2004 . College career . Lewis twice won Colorado ' s Dave Jones Award for the most outstanding defensive player and the Hale Irwin Award for the most outstanding defensive back in his junior and senior seasons . As a junior , he made a career - high 117 tackles on his way to first - team All - Big 12 Conference honors . As a senior , he was a unanimous All - Big 12 Conference first - team choice , earned third team All - America honors , and was a semi - finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award , given to the nation ' s top defensive back . He led the team with 112 tackles and five interceptions , one of which he returned for a touchdown . He closed his career ranked 9th on the school ' s all - time list with 336 tackles , second in forced fumble s with 10 and tied for 12th with nine interceptions . He also holds the school record with 6 . 5 career sacks for a defensive back . Professional career . Philadelphia Eagles . Lewis was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft . As a rookie he started 4 out of 14 games and recorded 49 tackles , a sack , and an interception . In 2003 , he became a full - time starter , replacing Blaine Bishop , and remained the starter alongside free safety Brian Dawkins up to the 2006 season . In 2005 , he along with Dawkins were selected as the starters for the 2004 Pro Bowl for the NFC squad . But Lewis had a tough year in 2006 . After giving up numerous big plays , he was benched for Sean Considine , starting only 6 of 14 games . He finished his career with the Eagles recording 386 tackles , six sacks , and nine interceptions . San Francisco 49ers . On March 2 , 2007 Lewis signed with the San Francisco 49ers . Lewis re - gained his starting role with the 49ers and had a good season , finishing his first season with the team starting all 16 games recording 104 tackles , 1 . 5 sacks , and two interceptions . On October 1 , 2010 , it was reported that Lewis would not be traveling with the 49ers to their next game at Atlanta after sitting out that day ' s practice for " personal reasons " . It was further reported that Lewis has asked the team for his release . For the season until that point , Lewis had started each regular season game and had 10 tackles with no interceptions , forced fumbles , or sacks . On October 4 , 2010 , Lewis was released by the 49ers and became a free agent . St . Louis Rams . Lewis was signed by the St . Louis Rams on October 27 , 2010 . Personal . During the week of Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville , Florida Lewis won the annual EA Sports Madden Bowl competition . The tournament featured eight NFL players and Lewis claimed the top spot by defeating Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger , Colts DE Dwight Freeney ( the two - time defending champion ) , and Broncos RB Willis McGahee . During his sophomore year at Colorado University , Lewis was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation . While not life threatening , it has contributed to Michael Lewis becoming an active spokesperson for Heart Disease awareness . He has served as a spokesperson for the Philadelphia chapter of the American Heart Association , served as the Honorary Chairperson for Philadelphia Heart Walk , and joined Steve Young in San Jose to promote the American Heart Association ' s Start ! campaign . Lewis ' nephews are Atlanta Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver James Rodgers .