HOUSTON — Since Carl Lewis first arrived in 1979, Houston has changed a lot, but the Olympic legend’s love for the city has only deepened over the years.
“I love the fact that it wants to be and has become an international city and it’s a fun place to live in,” Lewis said.
Lewis, who served as grand marshal for the 2024 H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade, has embraced Houston’s evolution alongside his own. The role isn’t new to him -- he previously held the title in the 1997 Tournament of Roses Parade.
“It’s been a long time between waving,” Lewis joked. “Do we need to stretch and get ready for this? I’m 63 -- I need to stretch and get ready for everything!”
Despite his modesty, Lewis still appears fit and strong, resembling a football tight end more than the lean track-and-field star of his prime.
Now the head coach of the University of Houston’s track and field program, Lewis is working on a new project close to his heart: raising funds for a commemorative bust of his mentor and former coach, Tom Tellez.
“Coach Tellez was the perfect person for me,” Lewis said. “He wasn’t about fluff."
Tellez, who retired in 1998, is credited with shaping Lewis into a nine-time Olympic gold medalist. His straightforward, science-driven approach helped Lewis dominate the world stage.
“He was recruited by everyone in the nation,” said Kyle Tellez, Tom’s son and an associate head coach at UH. “But I think (Coach Tellez) made the big difference in Carl coming to Houston.
"He had a game plan for how to win the Olympics and set a world record in the long jump," added Kyle Tellez.
Lewis’s enduring legacy extends beyond athletics. During a recent conversation, he revealed that a documentary about his life is in the works. He also shared his enthusiasm for personal milestones since turning 60.
“I skydived at 61, and now I’m learning to scuba dive,” he said. “I’m going to scuba dive 63 feet before I turn 64.”
For Lewis, self-reflection has been an important part of his journey.
“When I look in the mirror, I try not to see someone at 63,” he said. “I see someone who’s constantly evolving. I never thought I’d coach, but here I am. And I’ve realized I’ve become like my parents -- the people I admire the most. My mother was a trailblazer for women’s rights, and my father and mother were public school teachers and ran a track club. Now, in my 60s, I’ve become them. And that’s a happy thing.”
Much like Houston, the city he loves, Carl Lewis continues to evolve -- proving that even as a retired athlete, he’s far from slowing down.