As the shadows of palm trees began to slowly disappear and the sun set at Murdock Stadium, the field lights flickered on.

Under a dusk sky with lights shining above, Royshaun Lewis, 20, free safety, prefers to practice football.

Growing up in South Central L.A., Lewis said he never experienced practicing under stadium lights.

“Being able to practice on Thursday nights felt like I was at a big time university,” Lewis said.

When Lewis was a freshman in high school, he got into what he said was “some trouble,” which subsequently got him removed from a Division 1 high school to a Division 3 high school.

“It was just like, now I’m going to start over,” Lewis said. “Now I just have to work harder to be a stand out star and try to go somewhere.”

Not regretting any moments in his life, instead, Lewis said he has learned from all of his mistakes, while developing spiritually.

“God never failed me, even though I failed him,” Lewis said. “Gotta make it sound good! No because I can always call up on him, even when I’m doing bad. I know that I’m going to be cool and everything is going to be all right.

Lewis said that not only hasGod influenced his life, but hisbrother Roy Lewis, who plays for the NFL, also plays an important role in his life.

“He was a top recruited athlete out of high school who made the dean’s list,” he said. After grading from college, “He (Roy Lewis) was able to go to the NFL and got a Super Bowl ring in 2008 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s basically a great path to follow. He inspires me.”

In 2009-2011, Roy Lewis played with the Seattle Seahawks.

In addition to his brother leading by example, Lewis said his brother has taught him about life and dignity.

“He taught me the value of life,” Lewis said. “He taught me that football is not everything. Football can relate to a lot of things in life too. It’s not going to last forever.”

Lewis said that injuries could be one of the things that end a career and he makes sure he prays before every game.

“I pray that I don’t get hurt and that my teammates don’t get hurt,” Lewis said. “Honestly, I pray that the other team doesn’t get hurt, either.”

To go along with his prayer ritual before every game, Lewis has a theme song named “Underdog” by hip-hop artist Wale, which he said he uses to get in his game mode.

“Mr. Under Rated. ‘Yeah, I’m trying to make it; Yeah I’m trying to tell them,” is what he said was one of his favorite lyrics in the song.

Unlike the lyrics in the song, said defensive coach Matt Kirk, Lewis doesn’t have to tell anyone anything, because it shows naturally in his drive and leadership.

“He doesn’t argue with coaches,” Kirk said. “He is a Yes, sir’, No, sir’ kind of guy and he is very coachable.”

Kirk said that he enjoys practicing and is not the kind of athlete who would rather take the easy route.

“He doesn’t cut corners or skip the weight room,” Kirk said. “I learned that he is the kind of guy I would want to recruit.”

Younger players also see Lewis has a leader and someone who is inspirational.

“I’m going to miss playing with him because he helped me a lot and walked me through everything,” Kaelyn Henderson, 18, strong safety, said. He kept me focused and out of trouble.”

Lewis acknowledges that he is talented, but said he wasn’t just born with skills.

“Nothing comes easy,” Lewis said. “It takes a lot of hard work.”