- Joined
- Aug 13, 2005
- Messages
- 19,405
- Reaction score
- 13,132
John Stephens, 43; Patriots back was ’88 Rookie of Year
More on Stephens' playing days with the Pats. Interesting to note that the only reason he ever got a chance to run the ball was due to an injury to the starting RB on his high school team.
John Stephens, 43; Patriots back was ’88 Rookie of Year by Michael Bailey of the Boston Globe
More on Stephens' playing days with the Pats. Interesting to note that the only reason he ever got a chance to run the ball was due to an injury to the starting RB on his high school team.
John Stephens, 43; Patriots back was ’88 Rookie of Year by Michael Bailey of the Boston Globe
Inserted into the starting lineup in game three against the Buffalo Bills, Mr. Stephens would carry the Patriots offense on his rookie shoulders the rest of the season. In the process, he ran for 1,168 yards - a Patriots rookie record then, tops among rookies that season, and second overall in the AFC. He also scored four touchdowns.
“He had a fantastic rookie year. For that period of time that he had success as a running back, there was nobody better,’’ Andre Tippett, Hall of Famer and Patriots executive director of community affairs, said last night. “It was amazing watching him. He really kind of shocked everybody when he came into the league. He brought it. He was a tough competitor. It was special watching him run.’’
In addition to the Rookie of the Year honors, he was selected as a starter for the AFC team in the Pro Bowl.
Last edited: