Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
October 22, 2026 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. -- For Ball State linebacker Cincear Lewis, finding his rhythm means more than making plays on the football field. When Lewis isn't bringing opposing ball carriers to the turf, he trades his helmet for a bow.
Lewis, who grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was raised alongside nine siblings in a family that shared a passion for sports. When his elementary school launched an after-school arts program, Lewis discovered another passion: music.
Lewis juggled sports and music throughout high school before eventually committing to Cincinnati as a three-star safety during his senior year. Still, his interest in music grew with his football career. He learned to play the violin, cello and bass, finding an artistic outlet away from the physical demands of the game.
"Music just makes my soul feel good," Lewis said. "I think football and music have a correlation. A lot of people would say poetry in motion."
That connection became even more important when football was suddenly taken away from him. Ahead of his sophomore season at Cincinnati, Lewis tore his ACL after a misstep during a special teams drill. The injury put him on the sideline for the season and began a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Almost exactly one year later, Lewis returned to practice. Then, in one of his first practices back, it happened again.
"Not being able to do the little things that we take for granted, like being able to walk, made me feel worthless," Lewis said. "It really opened my mind to what music can do for you."
The injuries kept Lewis on the road to recovery for more than 850 days. Without football at the forefront of his daily life, he rediscovered a passion that had started years earlier.
Lewis bought a new cello in 2024 and began playing on a weekly basis. Music became an outlet while he worked toward returning to the field and helped reshape the way he viewed himself.
"When you put so many hours into football, it starts to feel like that's who you are," Lewis said. "Through the injuries, I learned I was so much more than just a football player."
Eventually, Lewis made his way back onto the field for Cincinnati. He appeared in five games and recorded 10 tackles for the Bearcats in 2025 before entering the transfer portal.
Lewis transferred to Ball State, joining defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles and the Cardinals' linebacker unit. After a college career that was defined in part by injuries and rehabilitation, the move gave Lewis an opportunity to start a new chapter.
"Getting to Ball State felt like a breath of fresh air," Lewis said. "It feels like anything that happened before, or will happen in the future, doesn't matter anymore. I feel reborn."
Now a Cardinal, Lewis is the third-leading tackler on the team, totaling 33 tackles through seven games in 2026.
The Cardinals celebrate 100 years of Homecoming on Saturday, taking the field at Scheumann Stadium versus Sacramento State. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., with broadcasts available on ESPN+ and WLBC 104.1 FM.
Lewis, who grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was raised alongside nine siblings in a family that shared a passion for sports. When his elementary school launched an after-school arts program, Lewis discovered another passion: music.
Lewis juggled sports and music throughout high school before eventually committing to Cincinnati as a three-star safety during his senior year. Still, his interest in music grew with his football career. He learned to play the violin, cello and bass, finding an artistic outlet away from the physical demands of the game.
"Music just makes my soul feel good," Lewis said. "I think football and music have a correlation. A lot of people would say poetry in motion."
That connection became even more important when football was suddenly taken away from him. Ahead of his sophomore season at Cincinnati, Lewis tore his ACL after a misstep during a special teams drill. The injury put him on the sideline for the season and began a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Almost exactly one year later, Lewis returned to practice. Then, in one of his first practices back, it happened again.
"Not being able to do the little things that we take for granted, like being able to walk, made me feel worthless," Lewis said. "It really opened my mind to what music can do for you."
The injuries kept Lewis on the road to recovery for more than 850 days. Without football at the forefront of his daily life, he rediscovered a passion that had started years earlier.
Lewis bought a new cello in 2024 and began playing on a weekly basis. Music became an outlet while he worked toward returning to the field and helped reshape the way he viewed himself.
"When you put so many hours into football, it starts to feel like that's who you are," Lewis said. "Through the injuries, I learned I was so much more than just a football player."
Eventually, Lewis made his way back onto the field for Cincinnati. He appeared in five games and recorded 10 tackles for the Bearcats in 2025 before entering the transfer portal.
Lewis transferred to Ball State, joining defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles and the Cardinals' linebacker unit. After a college career that was defined in part by injuries and rehabilitation, the move gave Lewis an opportunity to start a new chapter.
"Getting to Ball State felt like a breath of fresh air," Lewis said. "It feels like anything that happened before, or will happen in the future, doesn't matter anymore. I feel reborn."
Now a Cardinal, Lewis is the third-leading tackler on the team, totaling 33 tackles through seven games in 2026.
The Cardinals celebrate 100 years of Homecoming on Saturday, taking the field at Scheumann Stadium versus Sacramento State. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., with broadcasts available on ESPN+ and WLBC 104.1 FM.
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