CFL.ca
Running away from something isn’t Nik Lewis’ style.
The Calgary Stampeder slotback meets life head on, whether it’s running over a tackler on the field or facing questions about his career.
Lewis will play in his third Grey Cup game Sunday against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at BC Place Stadium. It could be his last chance to earn a second CFL championship ring.
“You always treat it as your last one,” said the 32-year-old from Mineral Wells, Tex. “Every time you come you have to enjoy it.
“I don’t know if I will ever make it again. I should.”
Lewis has seen his role change with the Stampeders. He’s gone from being The Man to being one of the men. 
Lewis missed the last half of the 2013 season with a broken fibula and torn ligaments. After a winter of rehab he returned this year but missed five games either through injuries or not dressing. He finished his 11th season with 37 catches for 377 yards and no touchdowns, making it the least productive of his career.
An older, wiser Lewis was able to put things in perspective. While the numbers might have been down Lewis believes he still served an important role with the Stampeders.
“It’s the first time in my life this has been like this,” he said. “Growing over the years, just growing up and understanding the way things are, I’m a leader of men.
“I’m a leader of those receivers. I owe it to them to show up every day, with the best attitude, with the ability to try to make them better men, better football players, and better receivers. That’s what I did. I think what I do is valuable, not just statistics and yards. It’s more about how I communicate with those guys.”
Short and muscular, Lewis has always had a fire hydrant’s build. What he lacks in speed he made up for in sure ferocity. Signed as free agent in 2004, he had nine consecutive seasons of over 1,000 yards before being injury.
Lewis can still haul in the big catch when needed, but wide receiver Marquay McDaniel said his influence is felt in other ways.
“Nik does stuff on our offence that doesn’t show up on the stats sheet,” said McDaniel. “That’s just the guy he is.
“Nik gets us pumped up. There are speeches you don’t hear about. This would be a different team if Nik wasn’t on this team. Our group wouldn’t be as tight.”
Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell called Lewis “a great leader” who has never lost confidence in his own abilities.
“The thing about him, he is very hungry for the ball,” said Mitchell. “He always wants the ball.
“It’s not a selfish thing. He knows he can make the play and he trusts himself.”
Lewis shrugs off talk about retirement.
“I plan on playing next year and the year after that,” he said. “I feel good and I feel confident. My body is finally getting back into place.”
Lewis wanting to play is one thing. Whether the Stampeders want him back is another.
“My focus when I started my career was to play for one team my whole career,” he said. “I didn’t know how long my career would last.
“I’m blessed to be here 11 years. I don’t know what is going to happen next year. I’m not really focused on next year. I’ve always said if I go out and I play the way I can play, I don’t have to worry about anything else because it can all take care of itself.”
Last year, in his final game, future hall-of-fame slotback Geroy Simon made the first two Grey Cup touchdown catches of his career to help the Saskatchewan Roughriders beat Hamilton.
Not a bad way to go.
“I talked to the coaches at the beginning of the year and they said they needed me to be at my best the end of the season,” Lewis said.
“It’s the end of the season and I’m at my best. I can do what I used to do, I promise you that. Now I just go out there and do it.”
