Damione Lewis Damione Ramon Lewis ( born March 1 , 1978 in Sulphur Springs , Texas ) is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent . He was drafted by the St . Louis Rams in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft . He played college football at the University of Miami . Lewis has also been a member of the Carolina Panthers , New England Patriots , and Houston Texans . Early years . Lewis attended Sulphur Springs High School in Sulphur Springs , Texas . College career . Lewis played college football at the University of Miami . After redshirt ing as a true freshman , Lewis started in his second year and produced a career - high 72 tackles , four sacks , and one forced fumble . As a sophomore in 1998 he led all Hurricanes defensive linemen with 52 tackles and registered two sacks . In 1999 , as a junior Lewsi posted 57 tackles , 6 . 5 sacks , two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery and was named to the second - team All - Big East . As a senior he recorded 39 tackles , three sacks , and two forced fumbles . He was named first - team All - Big East and Third - Team All - American by the Sporting News . Lewis started 41 of 43 games at Miami and finished his career with 220 career tackles , 15 . 5 sacks , and five forced fumbles . Professional career . St . Louis Rams . Lewis was drafted by the St . Louis Rams with the 12th overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft . On July 27 , 2001 , Lewis agreed to a five - year , $ 7 . 5 million contract with the Rams . As a rookie in 2001 , Lewis played in nine games with three starts prior to being placed on injured reserve with a broken right foot , keeping him out of the Rams ' Super Bowl XXXVI loss to the New England Patriots . The following year he played in 16 games with two starts ( one at defensive end and one a defensive tackle ) . He posted 44 tackles , four sacks , 14 quarterback pressures and one pass defensed . In 2003 , Lewis played in 12 games ( starting the first seven of the season ) . He registered 34 tackles , half a sack , 13 quarterback pressures , one forced fumble and one pass defensed . A sprained ankle against the Pittsburgh Steelers hampered his playing time in the second half of the season . In 2004 Lewis again earned the starting job at the outset of the season , starting the first 10 contests and playing in all 16 . He amassed career highs of 61 tackles and five sacks in addition to recording eight quarterback pressures , one forced fumble and two passes defensed . The next season he played in 16 games with seven starts . However , in 2005 , he was in the starting lineup for the final seven contests . He produced 45 tackles , one sack , 23 quarterback pressures , one forced fumble and one fumble recovery . Lewis played for the Rams for five years , starting 29 of 69 games , and recording 10 . 5 sacks . Carolina Panthers . On March 14 , 2006 , the Carolina Panthers signed him to a two - year deal worth about $ 3 . 5 million . In 2006 , Lewis played in 16 games with three starts in his first season in Carolina . He posted 30 tackles , 4 . 5 sacks , 11 quarterback pressures , one forced fumble and three pass deflections . Lewis contributed to defense that finished seventh in the NFL in total defense and tied for eighth in scoring defense , allowing 19 . 1 points per game . He also helped unit rank 11th in the league in rushing yards per game , third in third - down efficiency and seventh in sacks per pass play . The 41 sacks by defense was the fourth - highest total in team history . In 2007 , Lewis played 15 games with two starts , which brough his career totals to 100 career games and 34 career starts . For the season Lewis recorded 32 tackles , 3 . 5 sacks , a pass deflected and a fumble recovery . After the 2007 season the Panthers re - signed Lewis to a new three - year $ 14 million extension . In 2008 , Lewis became a full time starter after Kris Jenkins was traded . Lewis started 15 games on the year missing one start due to injury . He had 43 tackles , 3 . 5 sacks , an 1 forced fumble during the year . He was released on March 4 , 2010 . New England Patriots . Lewis signed with the New England Patriots on April 2 , 2010 and was released during final cuts on September 3 , 2010 . Houston Texans . Lewis signed with the Houston Texans on October 25 , 2010 . He was released on September 2 , 2011 .