Lewis Cine Bio
Lewis Tom Cine is a Haitian-American professional football safety. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles.
A 2021 College Football Playoff National Champion, Cine earned recognition as the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the title game. He later won a Super Bowl championship with the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
Early Life and Background
Lewis Cine was born on 5 October 1999, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He immigrated to the United States at age four, originally settling with his family in Florida before the family moved to Everett, Massachusetts.
He initially attended Everett High School, where his play on defense quickly stood out. 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 as Everett won a second straight MIAA state championship.
After the retirement of his high school coach at the end of that season, Cine moved to Cedar Hill, Texas, to live with an uncle and enrolled at Trinity Christian School for his senior year. While at Cedar Hill, he was coached by Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders. Cine ultimately committed to play college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, choosing the program over offers from Texas, Michigan, Penn State, and Florida.
Path to American Football
Cine’s path toward top-level American football began in the high school ranks of Massachusetts, where his size, range, and instincts at safety drew statewide attention. His Massachusetts Defensive Player of the Year award marked him as one of the top young defensive backs in the region.
His transfer to Trinity Christian School in Texas, where he worked with Deion Sanders, added polish to his game and broadened his recruiting profile. The senior-year move put him on a national stage and helped set up a scholarship offer from the University of Georgia.
Choosing Georgia over programs such as Texas, Michigan, Penn State, and Florida positioned Cine within one of the strongest defensive backfields in college football. That decision launched his climb to the next level and, eventually, the National Football League.
Lewis Cine Career
College Career (2018–2021)
Cine played in all 14 of Georgia’s games during his freshman season and started the final two contests. The early exposure gave him a foundation in the Bulldogs’ defensive system and prepared him for an expanded role the following year.
Going into his sophomore season, he was named a starting safety. He finished that year with 49 tackles and 12 passes broken up over ten starts, and he was ejected from the team’s game against Florida after drawing a targeting penalty. On 15 January 2022, Cine declared for the 2022 NFL draft, capping a college career that included a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2021 and CFP National Championship Game Defensive Most Valuable Player honors in 2022, along with First-team All-SEC recognition in 2021.
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. The selection reflected his combination of size, range, and college production as a safety.
His rookie season was interrupted in Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints, when he suffered a compound fracture injury to his lower left leg during a punt coverage play. The injury required two surgeries and ended his rookie year. On 27 August 2024, Cine was released by the Vikings and became a free agent.
Buffalo Bills Era (2024)
Following his release from Minnesota, Cine signed with the Buffalo Bills practice squad on 29 August 2024. The move gave him an opportunity to continue his professional development within a new defensive system.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024–Present)
On 8 January 2025, Cine was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles off the Bills practice squad. He joined the team during the final stretch of the regular season, giving him a chance to contribute to a contending roster.
Cine won a Super Bowl championship when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX. He was waived/injured on 24 August 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cine’s signature achievements include a 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship with Georgia and a 2022 CFP National Championship Game Defensive Most Valuable Player award. He was named First-team All-SEC in 2021. At the professional level, he is a Super Bowl champion as part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX-winning roster. His first-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft stands as a defining moment of his career.
Lewis Cine Career Wins
Lewis Cine’s career wins include team championships at the highest levels of both college and professional football. His list of verified team titles features the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship and the Super Bowl LIX title with the Philadelphia Eagles.
National Football League Highlights
In the NFL, Cine’s headline result is a Super Bowl championship won with the Philadelphia Eagles, who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX. That title represents his first professional championship.
Other Wins and Performances
At the high school level, Cine was part of a second straight MIAA state championship at Everett High School. At the college level, he contributed to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2021 and was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the national title game in 2022.
Lewis Cine Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Lewis Cine’s parents and extended family are limited. He has spoken about his mother and the role she played in his upbringing, including honoring her with his jersey number at Georgia.
Personal Life
Lewis Cine has a daughter named Bella, born in 2017. He has listed his residence as Everett, Massachusetts, USA, the same city where he attended high school before transferring to Texas for his senior year.
2025 Season Performance
Lewis Cine opened the 2025 cycle as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles after signing with the team off the Bills practice squad in January 2025. His tenure with the Eagles included a Super Bowl LIX championship run, capping the previous season’s postseason.
He was waived/injured on 24 August 2025, placing his immediate playing future in question. As the 2025 season continues, his status will depend on recovery, roster decisions, and any potential opportunities elsewhere in the league.
Looking ahead, Cine brings a championship pedigree from both Georgia and Philadelphia, along with the physical tools of a tall, rangy safety. His next steps will likely shape whether he returns to the field as a depth contributor or works to re-establish himself as a starting-caliber defensive back.