'84 Chronology-Home Sweet Home

Event Date: February 6th, 1984

Event Description:  'Boats Ink Pivot

Source: United Press International

Home sweet home had a lot to do with former Alabama quarterback Walter Lewis' decision to sign a $1 million deal with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL.

Lewis, a 6-1, 209-pound record-breaking quarterback, reports to practice today after announcing Sunday he had signed a three-year contract with the USFL expansion club.He said he chose Memphis because it allows him to be closer to his Brewton, Ala., home and because he can be a starting quarterback in his first year of professional football. That may not have been possible if he had signed with an NFL club.

“It's a pleasure and an honor to be somewhere where you know they want you to be,” Lewis said during a press conference at the Peabody Hotel. 

“Hopefully I can do the best I can and we can bring home a lot of victories.”

Showboats' Coach Pepper Rodgers said signing Lewis was an event everyone was happy about.

“He played in a great football program under a great coach,” said Rodgers, referring to the late Alabama Coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant. “I don't think anybody has had better football training than Walter.”

Lewis, 21, broke or set seven school records for the Crimson Tide. He rushed for 1,433 yards and passed for 4,257 yards in his collegiate career. He set a record for total yards in a season with 2,329 in 1983 and the most touchdown passes in a season with 14 the same year.

In four years, Lewis scored 42 touchdowns and led Alabama to a 35-12-1 record. His victories included Bryant's last game as head coach, the 1982 Liberty Bowl between Alabama and Illinois.

“I think our signing Walter is evidence once again of our complete commitment of bringing the best possible talent to the Showboats,” said franchise owner Logan Young Jr., who earlier signed Tennessee All-America defensive end Reggie White to a $4 million, five-year agreement.

“Walter was one of the most exciting players in the country last year and we've very proud he's going to be part of the Showboats.”

Story-(UPI)