The Houston Texans and the football world are mourning the death of a former defensive standout, Matt Stevens, who died on March 20th at the age of 51.
Stevens is notable in Houston as he was the first person to ever play free safety for the expansion franchise in 2002. Stevens would play his final two seasons in the NFL for the Texans, following six seasons with four other teams: Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and New England Patriots.
A Chapel Hill, North Carolina native and an alumnus of Appalachian State, Stevens was a defensive playmaker who recorded six interceptions in the 1999 season with Washington and played a crucial role in the New England Patriots' victory in their first Super Bowl.