Monday, January 29, 2001
Ravens' Lewis honors the son he lost
By Paul Daugherty
The Cincinnati Enquirer
TAMPA, Fla. — Closure came with 3:13 to go in the third quarter. Jermaine Lewis returned the New York Giants' kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown, then paused to honor his son, Geronimo, one last time.
Lewis' return immediately followed Ron Dixon's 97-yarder for the Giants' only score. The Baltimore Ravens had an answer for everything New York did Sunday, so it figured they would trump the Giants' only highlight of the game. Lewis' TD gave the Ravens a 24-7 lead and broke the Giants' will. As Lewis said, “We stuck a dagger in 'em with that one.”
It had a deeper meaning for Lewis. His wife, eight months pregnant, delivered a stillborn baby in December. The couple had named the boy Geronimo. Since, Lewis has honored his son by wearing wristbands bearing the word “G-Mo.” He took a week off after the tragedy; the following week, Lewis returned two punts for touchdowns, against the New York Jets Dec.24.
On Sunday, Lewis had printed the words, “Geronimo, Rest In Peace” on each of his wristbands. Before he was mobbed by teammates in the end zone, he had a word with his boy.
“I know he's looking out for me,” Lewis said. “This was closure.”
Lewis also closed any chance the Giants had of getting back into Super Bowl XXXV. He took the short kick and immediately headed right. The hole opened and Lewis burst through.
He said he knows what he will do with his Super Bowl ring. There is a box for it already. Geronimo's blue hospital hat is already there.
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