Former Patriots safety Matt Stevens, part of the 2001 Super Bowl championship team, passed away on March 20, 2025, at the age of 51.

Stevens attended Chapel Hill High School, graduating in 1991, then enrolling at Appalachian State University. At Appalachian State, Stevens was a two-time All-American safety and played a key role in leading the Mountaineers to a Southern Conference Championship in 1995.

Stevens entered the NFL when the Buffalo Bills selected him in the third round of the 1996 draft. Over his eight-year professional career, he played for several teams, including the Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, and Houston Texans. His most notable achievement came during the 2001 season with the Pats, where he contributed to the team's successful run to a Super Bowl XXXVI victory over the St. Louis Rams. He appeared in every game but one that season, registering 43 tackles in 15 regular season games, then adding six more in the three playoff victories.

Throughout his NFL tenure, Stevens appeared in 108 games, amassing 301 tackles, 13 interceptions, and one sack.

In 2007, Stevens faced a life-altering event when a motorcycle accident resulted in a spinal cord injury, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. He participated in clinical trials for the ReWalk device in 2011, a wearable exoskeleton that enabled him to regain mobility with the assistance of special leg braces.

Matt Stevens's legacy is marked by his contributions to professional football, his determination to overcome personal adversity, and the inspiration he provided to many through his resilience and dedication.

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