Taylor Lewan

Taylor Lewan's Biography

Taylor Curtis Lewan, known as Taylor Lewan, was born on July 22, 1991, in Loomis, California to Dave Lewan and Kelly Riley. His father was an offensive lineman at the University of Minnesota, rooting the family’s interest in sports. Lewan’s early schooling was in Arizona where he played high school football initially as a defensive end before transitioning into an offensive lineman.

Scout.com and Rivals.com, two leading sports review websites, rated Lewan a four-star prospect. His potential earned him a place in Rivals.com’s top five players from Arizona, positioning him as the 194th player nationally. He was even ranked third in the most athletic offensive lineman listing and placed fifth in the agile offensive lineman category. His contribution to the Cactus Shadows High School team in Cave Creek, Arizona validated these rankings. After a successful high school football career that saw him being chosen for the Under Armour All-America Game, Lewan secured a place at the University of Michigan in 2009 to major in general studies while honing his football skills.

At the University of Michigan, Lewan redshirted his freshman year and didn’t play in the 2010 season opener. However, he later participated in 11 games, highlighting his performance by taking over as the starting left tackle in the fourth game versus Bowling Green. His performance granted him a place in CollegeFootballNews.com’s Freshman All-America second team.

Lewan’s sophomore year at Michigan saw him becoming a more disciplined and intelligent player. His steady rise earned him the distinction of being named to Phil Steele’s Midseason All-Big Ten second team, and at the end of the season, he earned second team All-conference recognition. He was also a minor mention in the All-American selection by Pro Football Weekly.

The media picked up Lewan’s rising star and named him among the top five Big Ten Offensive players to watch along with his teammate, Denard Robinson. Lewan excelled in the 2012 season, and was named the Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year and named to the All-Big Ten first team by both the coaches and the media. The Associated Press, ESPN, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Lindy’s Sports, Sports Illustrated, FoxSportsNext.com, and Pro Football Weekly recognized Lewan as an integral part of their College Football All-America Team. CBSSports.com also named Lewan along with punter Will Hagerup to their All-Big Ten team.

2013 cemented Lewan’s commitment and superior gamesmanship in football, with him being named the Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year for the second season in a row.

The Tennessee Titans recognized Lewan’s potential and selected him as the eleventh pick of the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Lewan played in 11 games and started in six of them, displaying significant potential and earning him a place in the PFWA All-Rookie team. The Titans didn’t have a great season, but Lewan’s performance indicated a promising future in professional football. He continued to shine and was named the starting left tackle in the 2015 season. Lewan’s stellar year led to his inclusion in the Pro Bowl for the 2016 season, and he was also ranked 72nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.

Lewan had a solid 2017, helping the Titans achieve another 9–7 record, and earned a second Pro Bowl selection. This performance led the Tennessee Titans to invoke their fifth-year option on Lewan’s rookie contract in April 2017. Lewan’s 2018 performance led to his third Pro Bowl selection and a whopping five-year, $80 million contract extension with the Titans, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. Despite suffering a concussion and a foot injury, Lewan returned to the field strong and helped the Titans compete at a high level.

Lewan’s career experienced a setback when he was suspended for four games for failing a drug test in July 2019. Despite this, he returned to finish the playoff season, helping the Titans make it to their first AFC Championship Game since 2003, blocking for Derrick Henry as he dominated the field.

However, in the 2020 season, Lewan tore his ACL, placing the rest of his career in jeopardy. He suffered yet another knee injury in week 2 of the 2022 season, ruling him out for the year. On February 10, 2023, Lewan floated the idea that the Titans might release him, hinting at possible considerations for retirement. The Titans released him 12 days later.

But Lewan’s life encompasses more than just his time on the field. He resides in Springfield, Tennessee with his wife, Taylin, and their two daughters. Lewan has extended his sporting influence beyond the gridiron and into the world of broadcasting, co-hosting the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast on Barstool Sports. However, the problems of his injuries continue to plague him, and in May 2023, he filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against his surgeon over the seemingly unsuccessful surgery in October 2020 to repair his torn ACL.

Taylor Lewan’s life is a story of achievement and setbacks. It’s the tale of an athlete who climbed his way through school and college teams to participate in one of the most demanding sports leagues in the world. As he considers his options post-football, fans will look back on his career with appreciation for his dedication and commitment to the game.