Lewis Cine Bio
Lewis Tom Cine (pronounced SEEN) is a Haitian-American professional football safety who has played in the National Football League (NFL). He is best known for his college success with the Georgia Bulldogs, where he helped win a College Football Playoff (CFP) national championship, and for his role as a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, and Philadelphia Eagles, and he won a Super Bowl championship with the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Cine moved to the United States as a child and built his career through high school football in Massachusetts and Texas before becoming a starter for one of the most decorated college programs in the country. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 199 pounds, he combines size with the range expected of a modern NFL safety.
Early Life and Background
Lewis Tom Cine was born on 5 October 1999 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He immigrated to the United States at age four with his family, originally settling in Florida before relocating to Everett, Massachusetts. The move shaped his early years, and he grew up in a household where football would eventually become a central focus of his life.
He initially attended Everett High School, where he quickly established himself as a defensive standout. As a junior, Cine was named the Massachusetts Defensive Player of the Year by USA Today after recording 65 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a blocked kick while helping Everett win a second straight MIAA state championship. His performance that season drew statewide attention and set the stage for a high-profile senior year.
After the retirement of Everett’s head coach at the end of his junior season, Cine moved to Cedar Hill, Texas, to live with an uncle and enrolled at Trinity Christian School for his senior year. At Trinity Christian, he was coached by Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, an experience that helped sharpen his technique and raised his national recruiting profile. He ultimately committed to play college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, choosing them over offers from Texas, Michigan, Penn State, and Florida.
Path to American Football
Cine’s path to elite-level American football began in earnest at Everett High School, where his playmaking ability on defense turned him into one of the most heavily recruited prospects in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Defensive Player of the Year award confirmed that his instincts and physical tools translated to the highest level of high school competition in the state.
The decision to transfer to Trinity Christian in Cedar Hill gave him access to a national platform and a Hall of Fame mentor in Deion Sanders. Under Sanders’s guidance, Cine refined the corner-of-the-field coverage skills and tackling form that would later define his game. His senior film attracted offers from several top college programs, and he signed with the University of Georgia to compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
At Georgia, Cine joined a program that was building toward a national championship run, and he quickly worked his way into the defensive rotation. By his sophomore year he was named a starting safety, a role in which he would become a key contributor on one of the best defenses in college football.
Lewis Cine Career
College Career (2019–2021)
Cine played in all 14 of Georgia’s games during his freshman season and started the final two, gaining valuable experience against top-tier SEC competition. His development accelerated heading into his sophomore year, when he was named a starting safety for the Bulldogs. That season he finished with 49 tackles and 12 passes broken up over ten starts, demonstrating a knack for disrupting opposing passing attacks.
His 2021 campaign was the centerpiece of his college résumé. He earned first-team All-SEC honors and was a key part of the Georgia defense that won the 2021 College Football Playoff national championship. Following the title run, on 15 January 2022, Cine declared for the 2022 NFL draft, forgoing any remaining college eligibility. He was later recognized as the CFP National Championship Game Defensive MVP for his performance in the title game.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2022–2023)
Cine was selected in the first round with the 32nd overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2022 NFL draft, becoming one of the team’s top defensive prospects. The selection reflected his reputation as a hard-hitting safety with strong coverage instincts and the physicality to defend the run.
His rookie season was cut short in Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints, when he suffered a compound fracture to his lower left leg during a punt coverage play. The injury required two surgeries and ended his first NFL season prematurely. After a lengthy rehabilitation, Cine was released by the Vikings on 27 August 2024 and became a free agent.
Buffalo Bills Era (2024)
On 29 August 2024, Cine was signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad, providing him an opportunity to continue his recovery and return to game shape. His time in Buffalo was brief, as the Bills kept him on the developmental roster while he worked his way back from the leg injury that had sidelined him in Minnesota.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024–Present)
On 8 January 2025, Cine was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles off the Bills practice squad, joining a contending roster late in the season. He became a Super Bowl champion when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX, capping a remarkable comeback story from his 2022 leg injury.
Cine was waived/injured on 24 August, but the championship run solidified his place in NFL history as a title winner. On 14 January 2026, he was selected by the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL), opening a new chapter in his professional career.
Playing Style and Strengths
Cine is a physically imposing safety at 6 feet 2 inches and 199 pounds, with the frame to match up against tight ends and the athleticism to range across the field in coverage. He is known for his aggressive run support, tackling form, and willingness to come up in run defense. His experience in a complex SEC defensive scheme at Georgia helped him develop the pre-snap recognition skills required to play safety at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cine’s career is defined by major milestones on both the college and professional stages. He helped Georgia win the 2021 College Football Playoff national championship, earned CFP National Championship Game Defensive MVP honors in 2022, and was a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He added a Super Bowl LIX championship with the Philadelphia Eagles, completing a rare college-and-professional title run.
Lewis Cine Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Cine was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and moved to the United States with his family at age four. He has a daughter named Bella, who was born in 2017. At the University of Georgia, he wore jersey number 16 to honor his mother, who was 16 years old when he was born.
2025 Season Performance
Cine’s 2025 season began with a championship moment, as he was part of the Philadelphia Eagles roster that won Super Bowl LIX over the Kansas City Chiefs. The title represented his return to competitive football after a long recovery from the leg injury suffered in his 2022 rookie season with the Vikings.
His role with the Eagles was shaped by the late-season addition in January 2025, which gave him a chance to contribute on a contending team. He was waived/injured on 24 August, a development that will shape the outlook for the rest of the year.
Looking ahead, Cine’s selection by the DC Defenders of the UFL in January 2026 signals a transition to a new professional league, providing a platform to continue his career and showcase the skills that once made him a first-round NFL draft pick.