BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- When Dion Lewis was asked earlier this week what he remembers about his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, his response was a simple one.
"Not playing," the former Pitt star answered.
Because of various circumstances throughout his now five-year NFL career, not playing had always been an issue. Since the Eagles made Lewis a fifth-round draft pick in 2011, he's had to overcome injuries, being buried on the depth chart or just being overlooked because he's 5-8, 195 pounds.
But he's been a major cog in New England's offense this season, leading the Patriots in rushing as they head into Super Bowl 52 Sunday against the team that drafted him.
How special has this season been for Lewis? His 180 carries for 896 yards were not only career highs, they were more than he had in his previous four seasons combined. The same goes for his nine touchdowns (six rushing, three receiving).
At 27, Lewis finally made his mark in the NFL as a running back, much the same way he did at Pitt in 2009 when he rushed for 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns in his freshman season.
It's been a long journey, one that required the patience of Job.
Because of his size -- or lack thereof -- Lewis has been overlooked at the NFL level. It caused him to fall to the fifth round of the draft, despite his production at Pitt, which included a ridiculous 47-carry game for 194 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow 45-44 loss to Cincinnati that cost the Panthers the Big East championship in 2010.
"I like getting the ball a lot. That was college, though," Lewis told me. "The NFL is a different game. I definitely like getting the ball and getting a lot of carries."
Those 47 carries were more than he got in any NFL season before joining the Patriots in 2015, two years after he had previously played in an NFL game for the Eagles, who traded him in 2013 to Cleveland for linebacker Emmanuel Acho. With fellow former Pitt star LeSean McCoy in place as the Eagles' lead back, Lewis' time in Philadelphia was spent mostly as a kick returner.
But getting traded to Cleveland? Cleveland? That is the place where NFL careers go to die. And Lewis' nearly did.
He was having a great training camp for the Browns and was in line to perhaps become a regular player for the Browns. But he suffered a fractured fibula in a preseason game and missed the entire 2013 season. The Browns cut him at the end of training camp in 2014.
That led to the Indianapolis Colts signing him, a stay that lasted all of a week. Lewis would not play again that season.
"It was definitely disappointing because of the work I put in that offseason to make sure I was ready and on top of my game," Lewis said of that period of time in his life. "It was definitely disappointing. You’ve just got to keep getting back up when you get knocked down. That’s what I’ve tried to do. That’s what I did then."
It's a work ethic and mantra instilled in him at a young age by his parents, Leroy and Linda Lewis. They taught their son not to quit. And he didn't.
"My mom and my dad raised me the right way. They instilled that drive that you have to work hard if you want to be successful in life," Lewis said. "That’s what I’ve tried to continue. I never let anything happen that breaks me, regardless of what anyone says about my ability. I just go out there and try to prove it to myself, because I expect a lot out of myself, as well."
Though the calls from the NFL didn't come for the rest of the 2014 season, he continued to work, knowing he just needed one more chance. It came in the form of a futures contract he was offered at the end of the 2014 season by the Patriots.
To be clear, players signed to futures deals are long shots, typically players signed by NFL teams to fill out their offseason rosters. But sometimes, they hit. And Lewis did.
Lewis' first game back in 2015 came against the Steelers in the regular season opener at New England. He also made his first career start in place of LeGarrette Blount, who had been suspended by the Steelers the season before as punishment for he and Le'Veon Bell being found in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop in Pittsburgh.
Lewis had 15 carries for 69 yards and caught four passes for another 51. Even after Blount returned, he continued to play, but was used more as a third-down back and receiver before seeing his season end once again thanks to a torn ACL. That landed him on injured reserve and cost him part of the 2016 season, as well.
But with Blount moving on in 2017 -- to Philadelphia, of all places -- Lewis took on more of a lead-back role this season for the Patriots. With free agency looming after the Super Bowl, the timing was perfect for Lewis -- and a long time coming.
“Dion’s been an incredible player for us since he got to the team,” New England quarterback Tom Brady said. “He’s really played a big role in our offense this year -- running, catching. He’s been the focal point in different games. He’s been so reliable and dependable. He really battled to overcome a really tough injury a couple of years ago. He fought hard last year to get back to where he wanted to be. This year, he has been at absolutely full strength and running and catching the ball out of the backfield. He’s smart, so consistent. He’s had a great season.
“We’re going to need a big game from him (in the Super Bowl). He’s going to have to play his very best. That’s what we’re expecting. When he’s playing good, it’s a whole different level for our offense.”
Lewis also won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in 2016, when he had 283 yards rushing in seven games after starting the season on the PUP List as he continued to recover from his ACL tear. They all count. But knowing he's been such a big part of New England's offense this season would make this one a little more special.
"It’s definitely been different, just being out there more, being a little more involved in the offense," he admitted.
As for what lies ahead after this season, he'll deal with that when the time comes. While Bell is considered the top running back -- and perhaps top player overall -- available in free agency this year, if it gets to that point, Lewis could have plenty of suitors, as well.
It's a big difference from just a few years ago, when he spent the season sitting on his couch, waiting for an opportunity to prove himself. Lewis made $1.2 million this season and stands to see an increase in that next season, regardless of where he ends up.
"We saw it in him early — as early as when he signed and came to the team,” Blount said of Lewis' work ethic. “With OTAs his first year, you saw it. He just kept grinding and kept working. Kept grinding and kept working. An opportunity presented itself, and he always took advantage of it. So I think he deserves it.”