Chicago Bears helmet (Photo by Getty Images)

Former Chicago Bears and Texas A&M running back Darren Lewis has passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 55.

The Texas A&M Aggies broke the news on their official website. Lewis played for the football team from 1987 to 1990 before turning professional, playing for the Chicago Bears from 1991 to ’93:

Lewis, known widely by fans as “Tank”, was born in Dallas, Texas and attended David W. Carter High School. After starring there, Lewis joined the Aggies football team and emerged as one of the greatest athletes in school history.

The 5-foot-10, 230-pound running back recorded 5,012 rushing yards and 44 rushing touchdowns over his four seasons with the Aggies. Lewis rushed for a personal best 1,692 rushing yards in the 1988 season and had 1,691 yards and 18 rushing scores (his career best) in 1990.

The Chicago Bears drafted Lewis in the sixth round (191st overall) in 1991. He appeared in 33 total games over his three seasons in the Windy City, recording 431 rushing yards, four rushing scores and 22 receptions for 201 yards.

Lewis had his best season in 1992, recording 382 rushing yards and all four of his career NFL touchdowns. The Bears won 11 gmes in Lewis’ rookie year but fell to the Dallas Cowboys 17-13 in the Wild Card Round.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Darren Lewis’ family and friends during this difficult time.

Darren Lewis Is Aggies’ All-Time Rushing Leader

Lewis’ 5,012 rushing yards place him first all-time among Aggiees, with Curtis Dickey a distant second on the leaderboard with 3,703. In school history, only Jorvorskie Lane has more rushing TDs (49) than Lewis (44).

Lewis earned consensus All-American honors in 1990 as well as a First-team All-American nod in 1988. He was named the SWC Offensive Player of the Year in 1988 and earned two First-team All-SWC selections.