Former Texas A&M running back Darren Lewis passes away at 55 after battling cancer

Former NFL player and Texas A&M all-time leading rusher Darren Lewis passed away at the age of 55 due to cancer, as announced by the university. Lewis had been granted compassionate release from a 27-year jail sentence for armed robberies about a year prior to his death. Despite struggling with a cocaine addiction post-football, divorce, and losing his house in 1995, Lewis was allowed to leave for medical treatment and had recently entered hospice care. During his time at Texas A&M from 1987 to 1990, Lewis made a significant impact, running for a total of 5,012 yards. His standout season was in 1988 when he rushed for 1,692 yards, earning him the title of Southwest Conference Player of the Year and a spot on the All-America team. Lewis was known as "Tank" and finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting in 1990, breaking the Southwest Conference career rushing record previously held by Eric Dickerson. Lewis faced challenges in his professional career as well, being selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 1991 NFL draft. His draft stock fell after testing positive for drugs at the combine. Despite playing for the Bears for three seasons and rushing for 431 yards, Lewis struggled with addiction and faced multiple arrests, leading to his eventual imprisonment for armed robberies in 2014. Diagnosed with cancer while in prison, Lewis was allowed to leave for treatment and eventually entered hospice care before his passing at the age of 55.