Matt Stevens, a former NFL safety who secured a Super Bowl XXXVI victory with the New England Patriots, passed away on March 20 at the age of 51.
The New England Patriots confirmed Stevens’ death on Thursday, March 27. The cause of death was not disclosed.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew Stevens, age 51, beloved son and father,” stated an obituary published by Walker’s Funeral Home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
After retiring from football in 2003, Stevens lived in Durham, North Carolina. His NFL career spanned eight years and included roles with five teams. His professional path began when he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft.
The highlight of Stevens’ career occurred during the 2001 season with the New England Patriots. He played in all but one game that season, amassing 43 tackles in 15 regular-season games. He added six tackles during the playoffs, contributing to the Patriots’ first Super Bowl victory, a 20-17 win over the St. Louis Rams.
During his NFL career, Stevens also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, and Houston Texans. He appeared in 108 games, recording 301 tackles, 13 interceptions, and one sack. His most successful season was in 1999 with Washington, where he achieved a career-high of seven interceptions.
Before his professional career, Stevens was a top athlete at Chapel Hill High School, graduating in 1991. He went on to achieve All-American status twice at Appalachian State University, where he played a key role in the Mountaineers’ Southern Conference championship win in 1995, his senior year. Stevens is a member of both the Appalachian State Athletics Hall of Fame and the Chapel Hill High School Hall of Fame.
In 2007, Stevens was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury, causing paralysis from the waist down. Despite this significant challenge, he showed resilience by participating in clinical trials for the ReWalk device in 2011, a wearable exoskeleton that helped him regain mobility with leg braces.
Former teammates and friends have been sharing memories of Stevens since the news of his passing. James “J.K.” Reaves, a former teammate at Appalachian State, described him as “hands down the fastest guy on the team” and noted, “he went on to do what so many of us dreamed of, playing at the professional level.”
Stevens is survived by his parents, Jean Thillberg and Vincent Stevens, his brother Mark Stevens, and his children, Cassidie and Colin Stevens of Avon by the Sea, New Jersey.
As news of Stevens’ death spread, fans and former teammates have taken to social media to offer condolences and share memories of the player who contributed to the start of the Patriots dynasty and demonstrated determination both on the field and in his personal life.
