Former NFL safety Matt Stevens has died at the age of 51. To that end, Schwartz enjoyed a long pro career with teams like the New England Patriots. Stevens, who played in the Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXVI win over the Rams, died on March 20. Following his NFL career, he founded Kicking It For Haiti — a football-based nonprofit organization. In all, during that time he suited up for the Buffalo, Philadelphia, Washington, and Houston squads. Even with his premature passing, his impact on the game of football, particularly while he served with the Patriots, is still admired.
Stevens made a name for himself in the NFL using his incredible pass defending prowess. That dude accumulated a measly total of 13 interceptions in the process across 108 games. During his two seasons with the Patriots, he was an instrumental part of their defense at safety. His legendary performance propelled the Patriots to a stunning upset over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. This victory was the first of their dynastic period in the league.
The Patriots put out a statement mourning Stevens’ death and celebrating his life. The new team gave him proper credit for his great ideas when he was in New England. They expressed their deep condolences to his family and friends. Stevens’ impact on the field, especially during his short six-year NFL career, is revered by fans and teammates.
Beyond his impressive achievements on the field, Stevens’ life was more recently defined by personal tragedies. In 2007, he suffered a near-fatal motorcycle crash. The traumatic spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed has changed his life in immeasurable ways ever since. Even in the face of these adversities, he was beloved by all in the NFL family.
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