Woodley Lewis, Jr. (June 14, 1925 – December 29, 2000) excelled in football at multiple positions and set a bunch of records at the University of Oregon before an eleven-year NFL career.
Lewis came to Eugene from Los Angeles after two seasons of junior college. He played key roles on the 1948 team that broke a decades-long bowl drought with a 9-2 record, a perfect Pacific Coast Conference record of 7-0 and a top-10 national ranking. Norm Van Brocklin was the quarterback, Lewis played halfback and returned kicks, he missed three games with an injury. Oregon tied with California for the first in the PCC, but the Bears were selected for the Rose Bowl in a vote of other Conference schools.
So the Ducks welcomed the New Year in Dallas against Southern Methodist. Woodley would be the first African-American player to take part in the Cotton Bowl stadium.
In 1949, the Ducks record was 4-6 but Woodley had a tremendous senior year in three different roles. He led the nation in kickoff returns and set UO records for longest punt return (92 yards) and kickoff return (102 yards). On offense, he led the team rushing with 473 yards and playing defensive back, he picked off eight interceptions. Lewis was named Ducks MVP.
Woodley finished his Ducks career with more school records: kickoff return average (34.1 avg.), single season return average (43.2), and career rushing yards per carry (5.6).
Lewis was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1950, settling in as a cornerback. He intercepted 12 passes his rookie year and was selected to the Pro Bowl. In 1953 and '54, he set an NFL-record for kickoff returns twice. LA won the 1951 NFL championship. In 1955, the Rams moved Woodley to wide receiver.
Next stop, four seasons with the Chicago Bears playing both offense and defense. He was a top receiver for the Bears and continued to lead the league in kickoff return yards. In his first 10 seasons in the league, Lewis never missed a game. His NFL career ended with the expansion Dallas Cowboys in 1960. Lewis returned to Los Angeles and opened a bowling alley and entertainment center.
In 1999, Woodley Lewis was inducted into the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame.