The Miami Heat organization is mourning a beloved member of the staff. Kenneth Lewis was responsible for the players’ security. And it’s well known how players grow close to the people protecting them (vis-à-vis, Michael Jordan and the United Center security team). Kenneth Lewis served the nation before joining the NBA team. No cause of death is reported, and according to some comments, his demise was sudden. Bam Adebayo is among the many in the organization grieving Lewis’ loss.

The Miami Heat’s official social media pages posted a tribute that announced Lewis’ demise. “Our collective hearts are heavy with sadness as we grieve the loss of beloved Miami HEAT Team Security Detail member Kenneth Lewis. Kenny also spent 26 years serving in the United States Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant and received close to 20 service medals. Thank you, Kenny, for protecting not only our team, but our country as well.
Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to Kenny’s family and friends,” The post read.

They also added a pure, “Rest in peace, Kenny 🕊️” indicative that he was Kenny to them, and not just Chief Master Sergeant Kenneth Lewis.

Heat’s reigning superstar, Bam Adebayo, would share this post on his Stories. No captions, no messages. Just a quiet moment of grief.

Details about Kenneth Lewis are obscure. Chances are, fans have spotted him around the Bam, Tyler Herro, or even Dwyane Wade and LeBron James – because he’s been around that long – during games at Kaseya Center.

Bam Adebayo was in the middle of something really sweet for WNBA MVP, A’ja Wilson, but he couldn’t skip past Kenny’s loss. He certainly had a brotherhood with the players who’ve shown their gratitude to him in the past.

Kenny Lewis’ special place in Miami Heat

It’s unclear when and how Kenneth Lewis passed away. The Heat didn’t reveal his age or who survives him either. It is well known that he dedicated a big part of his life to the franchise.

Lewis previously served in the US Air Force for 26 years, where he was part of a very elite unit. Lewis was in the Security Forces Phoenix Raven. The ‘Ravens’ are a select team specially trained to provide security and support for Air Mobility Command aircraft and personnel. Lewis was assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command’s 315th Security Forces Squadron as a Raven. He even has a dashing picture from his youth at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., protecting a C-17 Globemaster III while on a mission.

He was stationed at multiple bases nationwide, including in the Carolinas. It’s not clear if he had any connection to the Eglin Air Force base, where Pat Riley held a training camp for the Miami Heat in 2010. But that was the year Lewis came to the team.

Lewis was there during the Big Three era and when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh led the team to two consecutive championships. In 2017, the Heat wanted to honor him for his dedicated years of service to the country and the team. During a game against the Trail Blazers (when a pre-championship Damian Lillard torched the team with a season-high 49 points), they honored him in Miami’s “Home Strong” pregame ceremony.

The Home Strong ceremony is where the Heat pays tribute to an Armed Forces member. The team honored U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Kenny Lewis, who was part of the Heat security team since his retirement in 2010. Every player and coach on the Heat roster joined Lewis at midcourt for the ceremony.

Kenny Lewis was special to the whole of the Miami Heat. His void will definitely be felt.