Q & A With Speed’s Lawrence Lewis
David Chappell
Thursday July 17, 2003
As an original member of the Richmond Speed in 2000, Lewis saw his team lose its first seven games, before rallying to almost make the playoffs that year. After playing for Milwaukee in the AFL in 2001, Lewis returned to Richmond and arenafootball2 the next year. In 2002, the Speed won seven in a row to start the season before sputtering late last year.
This year, the Speed had lost their head coach and five of their previous six games, before upsetting the Mohegan Wolves last Friday for interim head coach Billy Jarvis. Despite that big victory, the Speed are still presently only a 6-8 team, last in the af2’s Atlantic Division heading into tomorrow night’s contest with the Greensboro Prowlers (7-7).
Through it all, Lewis has played well, been a team leader and perhaps most importantly managed to keep that infectious smile on his face.
Nicknamed “LawLew” and “The Law,” Lewis remains Richmond’s most respected player on the field. Off the field, Lewis’ engaging personality makes him the Speed’s most popular player with the fans.
After a recent Speed practice, Lewis sat down in the Richmond Coliseum and spoke about a wide range of subjects…from his thoughts about former coach Richard Davis…to the Speed’s most heated rivals…to his opinion of the ArenaFan Online website. And pretty much everything in between!
David Chappell: How would you sum up the Speed’s season so far?
Lawrence Lewis: It’s been a roller coaster. It’s been one of those roller coasters where we’ve been up and down…emotionally and physically. Everything has been up and down.
DC: Who is Richmond’s MVP to date this year?
The Law: I’d have to say ‘Redd’ Thompson. He’s been pretty much our steady go-to guy…even though everybody in the world knows that we’re going to him. We keep going to him, and he keeps coming up with big plays. For now, I would say ‘Redd’ is our MVP.
DC: Assess your play this season.
The Law: It’s not my ultimate best year, but it’s been better than last year. My thing is, that I always want to get better each year. Last year I only totaled three sacks, and I’ve nearly doubled that already this year.
Also, this year my leadership role with the team has blossomed more. This season, I’ve been in more situations where I’ve had to make more leadership decisions. That’s something that I’ve enjoyed, and something that I’ve embraced.
DC: You play a number of different positions on the field…both lines, and sometimes tight end, fullback and linebacker. Do you have a favorite amongst those?
The Law: I love playing fullback…that’s what I played in Arena1. That was the first time I had ever run the ball, and I found out that I really enjoyed playing fullback.
But, I also love getting after that quarterback! Everybody knows me as being that defensive end that’s going to get after that quarterback. I love a sack as much as I love a touchdown.
I enjoy playing tight end too. I like to block, and like the feel of getting in there and battling. It’s a real challenge playing tight end, because I’m really undersized to be a lineman. But I like the challenge of being a lineman.
Man…really, any place my coach needs me! As long as I’m on that field. You know me, wherever they need me I’m going to play there.
DC: Any thoughts now on former coach Richard Davis?
The Law: Man, I love that guy. He’s meant the world to me. He’s the reason I came back to play this year. It was a long thought-out process for me as to whether I would come back for another year. When it came down to it, I just wanted to come back for Richard Davis because I always appreciated and enjoyed his coaching.
I really do miss him…but one thing I really learned in Arena1 is that this game is a business too. Sometimes business decisions happen, so you have to live with them.
DC: Any comments about your owner, BK Katherman?
The Law: Oh, he’s meant the world to me too. He’s done a lot for me, and a lot of it are things that other people wouldn’t know about. He’s helped me out in the community in things I’ve tried to do. Anytime I’ve ever asked him for help or anything else, he’s always there to assist me in achieving any kind of goal…on or off the field.
I’ve known him personally and probably for longer than anybody else on the team. He’s a great guy…and he’s been great to me.
DC: What are your thoughts about your current coach, interim head coach Billy Jarvis?
The Law: He’s been my line coach since I came back from Arena1. I love the way Billy Jarvis coaches. He treats us like men, but at the same time he’s able to be a firm coach. I like a coach that’s able to do both; it’s a fine line between a coach treating you like a man and being a hard figure. It’s hard for a lot of coaches to walk that fine line, but Coach Jarvis does it well.
Coach Jarvis treats us like men, and asks you to do just one thing…that’s your job.
DC: What do you see the future of the Richmond Speed being after this season?
The Law: Whoa! (pauses) Well, the Richmond Speed have a lot of traditions here. That’s one thing that I don’t think BK or any of our coaching staff that we have now are trying to get away from.
But, I mean, it could be a situation where everything could change or nothing could change. Right now…I’m not even thinking about that. I didn’t even think of that until you first asked the question.
DC: In football, how do you define the word ‘success’?
The Law: Everybody seems to think of success as being measured by wins and losses. I’ve finally realized that’s not the case. I’ve played football for 21 straight years, and I’ve seen so many wins and losses I don’t even remember a lot of them.
What I remember about ‘success’ is how you did before to how you’re doing now…did you get better? That’s your success. Did you do better this time than you did last time…if you did, I think that’s successful. If you didn’t, then you’re going backwards.
Even if you win a game, and you go backwards and don’t play as well as you did last game…I don’t call that successful.
If you keep getting better, and you keep getting up every day wanting to get better…then you’re successful in this game.
DC: What is the best team the Speed has played so far in 2003?
The Law: Hum…we’ve played some great, great teams this year. Albany was really tough those first two games this year.
DC: Who is the best opposing player you’ve played against so far this season?
The Law: I would say that one of the great players that I played against was Ron Perry. He played for Albany earlier this year and now he plays for Tennessee Valley.
I met him when I was with Milwaukee in Arena1, and he showed me the ropes and how to be successful playing arena football and I thank him for that.
He’s much like an older brother. It was very enjoyable to play against Ron Perry this year…I just wish we would have gotten a win on him!
DC: Which af2 team would you consider the most physical?
The Law: (laughing) I’d say those crazy guys from Norfolk. When we play against each other, everybody turns it up and it goes to another notch.
But, I can’t take it away from the Cape Fear people either. It’s a good hatred we have for each other. (laughs) It got perpetuated a little much with them this year, to a point that it got real physical. When you see Richmond and Cape Fear play, you’re going to see some people getting hit around and see some things happen that you don’t see as much of in other games.
So, I’d say it was between Norfolk and Cape Fear.
DC: So, then, are Norfolk and Cape Fear Richmond’s biggest rivals?
The Law: They ARE our rivals! I don’t see any other people being our rivals. Other people play us tough and we play other people tough, but it has to be Norfolk and Cape Fear.
You know, playing Cape Fear three times last year…you learned to hate them—or hate them more! (laughing)
DC: So, has Cape Fear edged ahead of Norfolk now?
The Law: Ah…no, I don’t think so. Well, the only reason Cape Fear might be ahead…(pause)…I’m thinking…hey, it’s a toss-up, okay? (laughing)
It’s been pretty much a split with wins and losses with both of them…so, both of them can have half of my hatred! (laughing)
DC: What is the toughest opposing arena to play in—in arenafootball2?
The Law: That’s a good question! Let me think…I’d have to say Norfolk. (laughs)
It would have to be Norfolk. That Scope is one of those tough places because of the way it’s designed and the way everything feels. Like I said to you a couple of weeks ago when we were down there…it has some kind of mystique against us. You never know what can go wrong there at any given time.
Yeah…I think the Norfolk Scope is a real tough place.
DC: What do you consider your best attribute on the football field?
The Law: I think the best thing that I give to the game is that I come out and enjoy EVERY play. I’m out there enjoying every play, and I’m enjoying the whole atmosphere of the game.
I think that attitude helps my team as a whole. That energy…as I go, a lot of times my team goes the same way. The more energy I give, the more my teammates will feed into it and play with more energy themselves.
DC: Tell me what you think of arenafootball2—the league?
The Law: Man, I love the af2. A lot of guys that play in af2 are your neighborhood guys that get to come out a couple of months a year and continue to play the game of football.
It is professional football. I look at it like baseball…minor league/major league.
A lot of people think of us as semi-pro instead of pro…stuff like that. But I don’t think of af2 like that at all.
The way the af2 is working, they are trying to build themselves up to be like baseball…so you have a minor league where there’s more than one place for guys to play a good level of arena football. Arena2 has given a lot of guys like me, guys that probably would be out of the game, another chance to play and have your family and friends up in the stands cheering for you.
DC: What could make arenafootball2 better?
The Law: This league really is going in the right direction. People already know this league as a fan friendly league. As long as the league, including its coaches and its players, doesn’t forget about the fans I think it will be all right.
If I had to think of one thing that would help af2, maybe a closer association with AF1 in some areas. As I was saying before, getting to the point where this would be more of a true minor league tied closely into its major league, the AF2. I think that would be great for both leagues. But I know there could be business concerns then with ownership tied into both leagues, and things like that which could knock things out of balance.
DC: What/where is your favorite road trip? Tell me as much or as little as you can…remember this is a family show (laughs).
The Law: Favorite road trip? (laughing) Hum…this year, I would have to say this year it would be the Mohegan trip. Going to a completely different place with a different climate…the place having a casino right in the middle of it didn’t hurt at all!
That Mohegan trip was also early in the year where we were able to bond as a team a little bit more.
All the road trips are fun for me, though...they give me a chance to go and have a good time with my boys.
DC: You seem genuinely happy almost all the time…on and off the field. What is your secret?
The Law: A lot of guys have a mindset that they have to play this game in a tough/aggressive mode all the time…that they always have to be mean and upset.
I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I’ve learned that you better enjoy it. You’d better love it. You’d better have a good time at it, or you’re really not going to get anything out of it.
I tell you…I enjoy playing football. Every day since I was a little boy and got a chance to play, I’ve been enjoying it. Football gives me a chance to achieve goals, and gives me a chance to show my talents to others.
But really, I like to put smiles on people’s faces…that’s always been my thing.
DC: You have been in both AF1 and af2. What are the major differences?
The Law: It’s not as big a difference as people probably think. Because, football is football. In AF1, they’re just a little bit bigger and a little bit faster.
The biggest difference I think is that in AF1, they have all day to think about football. In arena2, if you’re going to survive you’re going to have some kind of other job and you can’t have football all day.
One thing I did like about Arena1, is that you get to live football all day, every day. You’re a real professional athlete, where you get up and your whole day is watching film and preparing for your next opponent.
I think the preparation time for your opponents that you have in Arena1 is the biggest difference.
DC: Switching gears a little bit…you were a great college football player at Virginia Tech. What do you think of the Hokies getting into the ACC?
The Law: It’s kind of a mixed bag. I hate to see us not playing Syracuse…I loved going up there to the [Carrier] Dome. I also hate to see us miss the Rutgers and Temple games…I used to love beating up on those two! (laughs)
But to tell you the truth, as a fan, it’s going to work out great. Because now I can take a quick road trip and go see them play Duke or N.C. State. Really, the whole ACC region is a lot closer and convenient. Now, instead of seeing the games on TV you can see them in person.
It’s always fun to get together with the older players, and this will give us more opportunities to do that.
DC: What do you like to do when you’re not playing football?
The Law: Off the field, I like hanging out with my friends. Al Ford and I are probably the tightest friends here with the Speed…we’ve been here about the longest of anybody. Like tonight, after we finish here, Al and I might go bowling or something like that.
I’m a regular ol’ guy just like any other guy. I like playing video games, listening to music and hanging out with my friends.
I work…I have a regular 9-5 job. But I’m just like anybody else, that’s what I always tell people. It’s nothing more extravagant about us playing football. We’re just like the regular ol’ guys you grew up with. We just get a chance to put the helmets and shoulder pads on.
DC: Okay…what are your favorite video games?
The Law: (laughing) Man, right now, it’s got to be that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City game! I’m the best at that.
DC: Don’t you play sports video games?
The Law: Of course!! You know Madden, come on! Madden is the best…we all get to play against each other around here.
Right now, a lot of guys around here think they’re good and everything on Madden, but I still think I’m pretty much better than all of them…and don’t you forget to quote that! (laughing)
DC: You said that you enjoy listening to music. What is your favorite kind of music and musical artists?
The Law: I like R & B the best. My team doesn’t like it, because before the games they think I’m listening to hard rap or something like that. But I’m listening to smooth R & B before the game to get myself together.
I’ve always been a guy that likes a good singer. A good singer has always been appealing to me. Singing is a real talent. I mean with singing you can use your own talent and entertain yourself. And you can’t always entertain yourself with your football playing!
I’ve always liked the Isley Brothers…they have a nice new album out now. I also love R. Kelly. Right now, I’m listening to R. Kelly and that Ron Isley the most.
And women singers, right now, that Beyonce…that album is REAL nice. Not just nice to look at, but it’s also nice to listen to! (laughs)
DC: I know you get this question a lot, but what are your plans after your playing days are over?
The Law: I do get that question all the time, but it’s always been a hard answer for me. I haven’t come up with an answer for it yet! My thought process still is not to think about it that much because I’m still a player. (laughs)
My main thing is to keep my mind steady and keep playing for now, because I don’t want my mind wandering on something else and then I’ll be out of the game.
I’ll probably make the regular progression like anybody else. I’ve been in the game so many years, that I’ll probably move into coaching. I think I could be a good coach. Being a captain on this year’s team has let me know that I can probably go into coaching and do okay. Like anything else, you don’t know if you can do it until you do it. It’s always scary thinking about doing something new, but I’m not as scared as I used to be.
Coaching is something that I’m looking forward to doing, but it’s not something that I’m looking forward to. (laughs)
DC: What has been your most memorable game for the Richmond Speed?
The Law: I guess it would be the last game of our first year against Roanoke when we won and when I broke the sack record for a single season. That whole year was really special…how we came together as a team after losing our first coach and going 0-7. After all that, we only ended up missing the playoffs by one game that year.
I got the sack on the last play of that last game to break the record at 14 ½ sacks. That game has always stuck in my mind. The game was right here at home and everybody was right here for me so that made it even better. At the time, that was the all-time sack record in professional football. It’s been broken since then, but for one year I could say that I was equivalent to Barry Bonds in my league…for one year!
DC: You may have just answered this, but what has been your most memorable play for the Richmond Speed?
The Law: Yeah, that one I just mentioned is probably the most memorable for me.
But there is another very memorable one that I do remember. Our very first win for the Richmond Speed…down in Jacksonville in our first season.
I remember the play that put us over in that game. We were ahead late in the game but Jacksonville had the ball and would have won the game with a score, so we had to have a stop. At that point, the Richmond Speed had never won a game and we were on the road in a real tough place to play.
I was determined we were going to win that game. I went after their quarterback…I didn’t just sack him but got him for a safety. We got the ball back and ran the clock out for the Speed’s first win ever. That was our first happy moment, and I couldn’t believe how quiet that crowd in Jacksonville became after that safety!
DC: Arena football has some definite “quirks’ to it. What would you say is the hardest thing to do on an arena football field?
The Law: I would say in arena, the hardest thing has to be that field goal. Man, that’s just unfair! It’s like one-third of a regular field goal and it’s twice as high…and everybody is coming after you.
Kicking that field goal is hard, because I tried it and I fell on my butt! (laughing) I told myself that I’m never trying to kick the ball again. (laughing)
DC: Do you typically set goals before the season for yourself?
The Law: I’ve always been goal oriented. It really comes from my defensive coordinator when I was at Tech, Coach Phil Elmassian. You remember that lunch pail at Virginia Tech…that ‘going to work’ lunch pail? Inside that lunch pail was everybody’s goals written in there…people on the outside didn’t know that…that’s why the lunch pail was so sacred at Tech. When you had possession of that lunch pail, you had possession of everybody’s goals for the year.
Coach Elmassian showed me that writing down your goals is a good thing to do. Don’t be scared to write down your goals. If you can’t write down your goals and physically picture them, what kind of goals are they really? Don’t be scared to set goals that are way up there. Don’t sell yourself short.
Every year, I write down a list of my goals on a card. And I keep that card around me as a reminder of what I want to achieve. This year, my main goal was to make sure that I got better than I was last year…especially for sacks and the things that I’m good at. And to make sure I always gave everything I had for the team. After the year is over, I want my team to say, ‘well, we got what we wanted out of The Law.’
DC: You mentioned earlier that you are a captain and a team leader for the Speed. Can you describe that responsibility some more?
The Law: I’m sort of the vocal leader, you might say. I’ve had a lot of experiences, both good and bad, so I think people tend to listen because of that. When we’re struggling, I try to do everything I can to pick the guys up.
This year has been a lot more challenging to be a leader, because we’ve had some tough times. You know, when things are going all nice and smooth, it’s easy to be a leader…you can’t get enough leaders then. (laughs)
But my thing is, no matter what things may be out of our reach now with our record, one goal is always within your reach…that’s to get better and to have fun. As long as you have another game to play, you have that goal you can achieve…to get better and to have fun.
DC: The indoor game is particularly tough in terms of the confined area, the artificial turf and the boards that come into play. What kind of physical toll does that take on you?
The Law: It’s very physical. Let me knock on wood…but of all the years I’ve been playing this game I’ve never missed a game because of an injury.
I’ve learned…you stay away from those walls! (laughing)
The turf is tough as well. That’s why you see the NFL moving away from the artificial turf and going to grass fields.
DC: Speaking of the NFL, what team do you follow in the outdoor game?
The Law: Without question the Oakland Raiders, man! The ‘Raider Nation.’ Actually, the reason I started following the Raiders is because that was the name of the very first football team I ever played on.
Hey, Mr. Redskin fan there, didn’t the Raiders beat you all in the Super Bowl one time? (laughing)
DC: Thanks a whole bunch for reminding me of that! (laughs) Okay, as we wrap this up, on to really important stuff. What do you think of ArenaFan Online?
The Law: (laughs) I visit ArenaFan EVERY day. Boy, I love it. I see it two or three times a day. I love the ArenaFan site because you get more articles and information…I get everything I need for arena football off of ArenaFan. I’m not taking away anything from the other sites, but the ArenaFan site is the first site I go to…I love it.
DC: (clearing my throat loudly and passing my business card across the seat) As you like ArenaFan so much, might you have a favorite writer on the site?
The Law: (laughing loudly) Well…(pausing but still laughing)…
DC: (sighs) I mean…you can take the 5th if you don’t want to answer the question…(laughs)
The Law: (still laughing) No, no…well, I have tell you…I’m going with the guy who has been good with me…the guy that’s been covering us the best…Mr. Chappell.
DC: (wiping his brow) With that outstanding response, without any prompting or anything, I say we finish up on that very high note! (laughs)
I appreciate your time, as always, LawLew.
The Law: Hey, I appreciate it! You know…any time.
David Chappell is a native of Richmond, Virginia. He has closely followed local sports in Richmond and vicinity for over thirty years, and Arena Football 2 since its inception. David currently writes extensively for a website that he co-founded which documents professional wrestling in Virginia and surrounding areas from 1974-1986. A former elected prosecutor, David is currently a practicing attorney in a large downtown Richmond law firm.
