Winter Carnival King Boreas talks about playing football, parades and supporting kids

Later this month the St. Paul Winter Carnival kicks off with a parade, ice sculptures and the coronation of a new king.  

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Leo Lewis III, who is stepping down after a year reigning as the carnival’s King Boreas. In his role, Lewis represented St. Paul in hundreds of events across the state and the country.

The royal platform gave him a chance to talk about something close to his heart — supporting children and young people. Lewis is a former professional football player who played as a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns. He had a second career training and mentoring professional and college athletes and he now supports summer camps and other extracurricular programs to help children and teenagers learn sports and life skills.  

Guest:  

• Leo Lewis III spent 24 years with the Minnesota Vikings as a wide receiver, pro scout and director of player development. He also worked as associate athletics director at the University of Minnesota, where he earned his doctorate in kinesiology. He’s currently the principal at Lewis Performance Partners and the founder of the Lewis Sports Foundation. This month, he steps down as the reigning “King Boreas” with the St. Paul Winter Carnival.  

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.