PLAYER spotlight

Lewis Bowman - Safety

How did you first get into football then Lewis?

I think my earliest memory of football is watching Devin Hester kick and punt return montages in school IT classes instead of doing work. To this day I’m in awe of the guy.

And what brought you to the Giants?

I’d been playing rugby for years and fell out of love with the sport. Postlockdown, I stepped away from rugby to explore new activities. After trying a few different options, nothing quite hooked me. I thought, let me give football a go. My first session with the Giants was great, everyone was welcoming and I immediately felt like I belonged. I became hooked.

You’ve not been playing too long then. How does this year feel different to your first few?

The energy. We recruited well this year, the energy around the team is exciting and is providing a solid platform for us to build on. There is competition for starting spots, people are stepping up. It’s great to see people grow in confidence each week on and off the field, it’s a nurturing environment that provides enough challenge so we’re always improving.

That sounds great. How’s the season going for you personally?

On the whole, it’s been an okay personal season, it feels like I’m still in second gear and have a lot more to give. It’s been a bit stop-start, missing a couple of games meant I’ve not found my rhythm. Hopefully, I’m back from this rib injury [sustained in the game away at Birmingham] asap and can bring some more heat to our secondary.

And any overall highlights. From this year or previous ones?

My two highlights would be the home game against Edinburgh last year getting 2 picks and returning a kickoff to the house. I felt electric all game. My other highlight has been the growth of the DB group, we’re a great group and everyone in there is a solid player albeit with some questionable joke-telling ability.

So you contribute a lot on Special Teams, but you’re a starter on defence too. How do you find working with Coach Eli?

Eli is a great, knowledgeable guy and always happy to help you learn. He knows what he wants yet is open to adjusting schemes and coverages on game days if things aren’t going the way we planned. He’s helped develop my game a lot

And Coach Calvert is a new coach with the DBs this year. What’s it been like to work with him?

Calvert again is another great person to have in your corner. A really approachable and down-to-earth coach but isn’t afraid to push you out of your comfort zone. All the DBs have progressed this year and Calvert has played a big part in this.

You’ve also been selected for the GB squad and joined up with them last week. What’s it like being involved with that program?

I’m very privileged to be a part of such a solid set-up and compete with and against the best ballers in the UK. Everyone in that GB environment is a fountain of knowledge and I am a sponge absorbing as much learning as possible. It’s a step up in intensity but it’s a realistic goal for some of the players in our squad. I’d like to see more Giants in the mix moving forward.

Now we’re looking ahead to Birmingham at home. Thoughts on the game?

After a long slog of games, it’s our homecoming and time to show what real Sheffield Football is all about. The last time we played against Birmingham we didn’t perform and the result reflected that. We need to win and put a show on for the people

Away from football then, what does Lewis Bowman get up to?

My day job involves working with charities and communities to address the different inequalities and systemic issues people face in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. Outside of work I campaign for a more just society like better rights for renters. When I’m not trying to destroy the patriarchy, I’m either out at music events, in the gym or practicing my downward dog.

Finally, tell us something that the fans, and probably even your teammates, might not know.

Hmmm, this feels like an awkward icebreaker in a training session. I think not many people know I write poetry, I try to write a daily haiku about what’s happened that day. I played for Jamaica Rugby League at the Youth Commonwealth games and I can touch my nose with my tongue.

Player Info

Name: Lewis Bowman

Position: Safety

Number: 25

University/College Team: N/A

Years Playing: 2 (including 2023)

Giants Playing Debut: 2022 versus Manchester Titans

Favourite NFL Team: Atlanta Falcons