Larry Stevens Explained
Larry Ernest Stevens Jr. (born January 22, 1982) is a former American football defensive end and linebacker. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 2000 to 2003. He also played professional football for the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2004 and 2005 NFL seasons.
Early life
Stevens was born in Tacoma, Washington, and attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Tacoma.[2] He was a star athlete in both basketball and football for Woodrow Wilson.[3] [4] He was considered the top football prospect in the State of Washington in the Class of 2000 and had offers from Washington, Oregon, UCLA, Nebraska, Michigan and other schools.[5] The Seattle Post-Intelligencer described Stevens this way: "Stevens is the ultimate catch because of the things he can do with his 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame. He runs 40 yards in 4.6 seconds. He can dunk a basketball backward from a standing position. He can reach the end zone in any number of ways."[6]
University of Michigan
Stevens made his first official recruiting visit to the University of Michigan in December 1999 and gave his oral commitment to the Wolverines during the visit. Stevens said, "I've always wanted to go to Michigan, even when I was a little kid. When I got there, everyone made me feel really comfortable there."[7] He played college football as a defensive end and linebacker for the Michigan Wolverines from 2000 to 2003.[2] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] In four years, playing for Michigan, he appeared in 44 games and was credited with 77 tackles, 21 assists, 25 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.[2] Sports Illustrated wrote that Stevens was an "athletic defensive end whose game possesses a lot of explosion."[14]
Professional football
Stevens played professional football for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2004 and 2005 NFL seasons. He appeared in 16 games for the Bengals.[15] In the final pre-season game of the 2005 season, Stevens returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.[16] At the end of November 2005, Stevens was waived by the Bengals.[17]
Later years
Stevens retired from football in 2007 after sustaining a career-ending injury. Since retiring from football, he has worked as a manager for Under Armour (October 2007 - September 2009) and in Washington, D.C., as a business consultant with Respect Is Earned, LLC (starting in October 2008), a promoter and sponsor of martial arts competitions.[18] Stevens also offers business consulting and crisis management services to athletes in order to transition effectively to a professional life outside of the football field.[19]
Notes and References
- Web site: Larry Stevens . Pro Football Archives . 29 May 2024.
- Web site: Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page . University of Michigan . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071112175906/http://stats.ath.umich.edu/football/footstart.php . 2007-11-12 .
- News: A Challenge Greater Than Football: Wilson Back Larry Stevens Knows About Obstacles In Life. The News Tribune, Tacoma, Washington. December 3, 1998.
- News: Craig Hill. Prep State Basketball Tournaments - Class 4A Boys Consolation/Tacoma Dome: Wilson ignores its tired legs to run to victory' Stevens' all-around game leads Rams to final day. The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.. March 11, 2000. July 6, 2017. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202338/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/TRIBnet/access/50939966.html?dids=50939966%3A50939966&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Mar+11%2C+2000&author=Craig+Hill&pub=News+Tribune&desc=Prep+State+Basketball+Tournaments+-+Class+4A+Boys+Consolation%2FTacoma+Dome%3A+Wilson+ignores+its+tired+legs+to+run+to+victory+Stevens%27+all-around+game+leads+Rams+to+final+day&pqatl=google. dead.
- News: Football Friday: The Eyes have it, Wilson's Larry Stevens is known for an intensity befitting the state's top football prospect ... but Mom thinks he has that steely gaze because, 'He's been through a lot and overcome a lot'. The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.. October 15, 1999 .
- News: Dan Riley. LIGHTS, CAMERA ... WILSON'S LARRY STEVENS HAS A WAR CHEST OF WORDS AND THE GAME TO BACK THEM UP. Seattle Post-Intelligencer . February 3, 2000.
- News: Corey Brock. Stevens to Michigan Wilson standout spurns Washington. The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.. December 15, 1999. C.1. https://web.archive.org/web/20121103181036/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/TRIBnet/access/47249164.html?dids=47249164:47249164&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+15,+1999&author=Corey+Brock&pub=News+Tribune&desc=Stevens+to+Michigan+Wilson+standout+spurns+Washington&pqatl=google. dead. November 3, 2012.
- Web site: 2000 Football Team. University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
- Web site: 2001 Football Team. University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
- Web site: 2002 Football Team. University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
- Web site: 2003 Football Team. University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
- News: STEVENS 'HOME' AT MICHIGAN: FORMER TACOMA STAR ALWAYS A WOLVERINES FAN. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. September 5, 2001.
- News: Talking with ... Larry Stevens, U-M Defensive End. The Detroit News. September 4, 2003.
- News: 2004 NFL Draft Larry Stevens. SI.com.
- Web site: Larry Stevens. pro-football-reference.com.
- News: NFL Game Summary - Indianapolis At Cincinnati. The Indy Channel. September 2, 2005. September 1, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20120307172922/http://www.theindychannel.com/sports/4932198/detail.html. March 7, 2012. dead.
- News: Transactions. The New York Times. November 30, 2005.
- Web site: Larry Stevens. Linked In.
- Web site: These Former Pro Athletes Want To Help Other Athletes Avoid Financial Crises. Forbes. 31 July 2017.
