On October 6, 2001, the nation’s top two high school football teams clashed at a packed Veterans Stadium in Long Beach, California. Marcedes Lewis and the No. 1-ranked Long Beach Poly hosted Maurice Drew and the second-ranked De La Salle from Concord, California. This marked their first meeting before both would attend UCLA, embarking on a remarkable 14-year journey together. Both became first-team All-Americans for the Bruins and were drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2006, where they earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.

It’s easy to picture them reminiscing about their glory days while managing the typical aches and pains that retired athletes face. But there’s a catch.

“Some of the coaches I played with or were coached by were just talking about him the other day — like, man, Marcedes is still playing?” Jones-Drew shared with ESPN. “I was like, yeah, why wouldn’t he?

“I wish I could still play. He’s living the dream.”

At 40 years old, Marcedes Lewis continues to defy expectations as the third-oldest player in the NFL, behind Aaron Rodgers and Jason Peters. His longevity is credited to leadership, a willingness to block in an era favoring receiving tight ends, and a remarkable ability to stay healthy. Lewis holds the record for the longest tenure as a tight end in NFL history, surpassing legends like Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten.

Former Jaguars coach Jake Del Rio, who drafted Lewis, reflected on his enduring impact: “We ran power football back then, and Marcedes was pivotal. There aren’t many tight ends today who can dominate at the point of attack like he did.”

Lewis’s role has evolved over the years, with occasional flashes of his receiving prowess that initially earned him the 28th overall pick in 2006. Despite more limited statistical contributions in recent seasons, Lewis remains invaluable to his team, influencing games through his presence, personality, and unwavering work ethic.

As Lewis prepares for his 19th season with the Chicago Bears, he remains committed to his mental and physical preparation, continuing to defy the conventional limits of age in professional football.

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