Jerramy Stevens
![]() Stevens at the 2005 Seahawks intrasquadscrimmage | |||||||
No. 86 | |||||||
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Position: | Tight end | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | Boise, Idaho,U.S. | November 13, 1979||||||
Height: | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 260 lb (118 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
High school: | River Ridge(Lacey, Washington) | ||||||
College: | Washington(1998–2001) | ||||||
NFL draft: | 2002/ Round: 1 / Pick: 28 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Jerramy Ryan Stevens(born November 13, 1979) is an American former professionalfootballplayer who was atight endin theNational Football League(NFL).
He playedcollege footballfor theWashington Huskiesand was selected by theSeattle Seahawksin the first round of the2002 NFL draft.Stevens also played for theTampa Bay Buccaneers.
With Washington, Stevens was among the team's top receivers in the 1999 and 2000 seasons and won the2001 Rose Bowlwith Washington following an11–1 season in 2000.In 2005, Stevens became a regular starter attight endfor the Seattle Seahawks and played inSuper Bowl XL.
High school years
[edit]Jerramy Stevens attendedRiver Ridge High SchoolofLacey, Washington.A 1998 graduate, Stevens was a letterman in football, basketball, and track. In football, Stevens originally played quarterback. He passed for 5,000 yards during his high school career, including throwing for 2,000 yards as a junior. As a senior, he earned first-team All-Narrows League and was named to The Olympian's All-Area team as a safety.[1]
During his senior year, he and another student were accused of beating a schoolmate over his head with a baseball bat and stomping on his face on June 2, 1998.[2][3]The victim suffered a broken jaw and ate with a straw for six months. Upon questioning by authorities, Stevens initially denied being involved in the fight but admitted his wrongdoing later. Stevens was charged with felony assault and was ordered to home detention while awaiting trial.[3]Because he tested positive for cannabis during home detention, Stevens spent three weeks inThurston Countyjail.[2]Three football coaches at theUniversity of Washingtonwrote the trial judge affirming that Stevens's scholarship offer was still valid, and the judge allowed Stevens to participate in training camp with Washington even though Stevens violated home detention orders.[4]As a result of a plea deal, Stevens was convicted of misdemeanor assault and received credit fortime served.[3]
College career
[edit]Stevens redshirted the 1998 season and played on thepractice squadas quarterback. For his redshirt freshman season in 1999, Stevens converted totight end.[5]In 1999, Stevens made 21 receptions for 265 yards and 4 touchdowns.[6]
In 2000, Stevens made 43 receptions for 600 yards and 3 touchdowns and won the2001 Rose Bowlwith Washington.[6]On September 9, in Washington's 34–29 upset over fourth-rankedMiami (Florida),Stevens made 7 receptions for 89 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown pass fromMarques Tuiasosopoin a drive that put Washington up 21–3 at the half.[7][8]The following game on September 16 againstColorado,Stevens made 7 receptions again but this time for 103 yards.[9]In the Rose Bowl game, Stevens led Washington in receiving with 5 catches for 51 yards.[5]
In 2001, Stevens made 10 receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown.[6]Stevens injured his right foot on September 24 and was sidelined until November.[10][11]
Professional career
[edit]NFL Draft
[edit]Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
265 lb (120 kg) |
33 in (0.84 m) |
8+1⁄2in (0.22 m) |
4.77 s | ||||||||
Measurables from theNFL Scouting Combine[12] |
Stevens was selected by his hometownSeattle Seahawksas their first-round pick in the2002 NFL draft;he was the 28th player taken overall.[13]Seattle traded its first-round (No. 20) and fifth-round (No. 156) choices to Green Bay for the Packers' first-round (No. 28) and second-round (No. 60) choices. Green Bay used the picks to selectJavon WalkerandAaron Kampman.
Because of Stevens's criminal history, Stevens's draft selection by the Seahawks was controversial to the fans. CoachMike Holmgrenacknowledged that drafting Stevens took him numerous deliberations with Stevens, Stevens's parents, Stevens's coaches at Washington, and even Holmgren's own family.[14]
Seattle Seahawks
[edit]Stevens played 12 games with one start in his rookie season in 2002 and debuted in the season opener against theOakland Raiderson September 8.[1]Forced by Raiders cornerbackCharles Woodson,Stevens fumbled his first reception, a four-yard pass fromMatt Hasselbeckbut made two other receptions that game.[15]On November 24, in a 39–32 win over theKansas City Chiefs,Stevens made his first touchdown catch as a professional.[16]The 6-yard touchdown pass from Hasselbeck marked a turning point in the game as Seattle took a 21–17 lead on that touchdown drive and never looked back.[17]As a rookie, Stevens made 21 receptions for 252 yards and 3 touchdowns.[18]
In 2003, Stevens played all 16 games and started 2, with 6 receptions for 72 yards.[18]
In 2004, Stevens again played all 16 games and started 5. He made 31 receptions for 349 yards and 3 touchdowns.[18]
In 2005, Stevens started 12 games out of 16 and made 45 receptions for 554 yards and 5 touchdowns.[18]
BeforeSuper Bowl XL,Stevens said in a February 2, 2006 interview, "The story ofJerome Bettisreturning to his hometown (Detroit) is heartwarming, but it's going be a sad day when he doesn't walk away with thattrophy."This drew the ire ofPittsburgh SteelerslinebackerJoey Porter.[19]On February 5, 2006, Stevens caught 3 passes for 25 yards inSuper Bowl XL.Among his catches was Seattle's first-ever Super Bowl touchdown. However, he also dropped three key passes in theSeahawks'21–10 loss to the Steelers.[20]
On November 6, 2006, in a game against theOakland Raiders,Stevens was kneed in the groin by Raidersdefensive endTyler Brayton,who was then ejected from the game. Neither player was suspended, but Brayton was fined $25,000 by the NFL for the incident, and Stevens was fined $15,000 for his involvement, as well as an earlier taunting incident.[21]
Art Shell,the Raiders coach, said in an interview that Stevens was the instigator, and had tried to knee Brayton earlier. HoweverMike Holmgren,the Seahawks coach, responded by saying that Stevens was not attempting to strike Brayton, but was struggling for leverage which caused his leg to flare out.[22]
On March 20, 2007, Seattle general managerTim Ruskellconfirmed that Stevens' days with the Seahawks were done. "I would say it's probably a time for a change of scenery and to move on," Ruskell said.[23]This move was widely expected, as only hours after Stevens' arrest on March 13, the Seahawks signed veteranMarcus Pollard,giving them four tight ends.[24]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
[edit]On April 29, 2007, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[1][25]He caught his first touchdown pass as a Buccaneer on December 2 (Week 13) against theNew Orleans Saints,a four-yard reception fromLuke McCownwith 14 seconds left in the game in a drive that clinched a 27–23 victory for the Buccaneers and the team's fourth straight win.[26]However, the NFL suspended Stevens for one game without pay on December 11 for a violation of league substance abuse policy.[27]
On May 30, 2008, Stevens was re-signed by the Buccaneers after the team waived quarterbackBruce Gradkowski.[28]On June 4, 2008, Stevens was suspended for two games and fined three game checks after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.[29]In 14 games played, Stevens made three starts and made 36 receptions for 397 yards and 2 touchdowns.[30]
In 2009, Stevens played all 16 regular season games with eight starts for the Buccaneers. Stevens made 15 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown.[30]
The Buccaneers waived Stevens on October 25, 2010, two days after Stevens was arrested for possessing marijuana.[31]Stevens played in five games with one start in 2010 for Tampa and made three receptions for 43 yards.[30]
NFL statistics
[edit]Year | Team | G | Rec | Tgt | Yds | Avg | Long | TD | 1st | Fmb | Fmb lost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | SEA | 12 | 26 | - | 252 | 9.7 | 29 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
2003 | SEA | 16 | 6 | - | 72 | 12.0 | 26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2004 | SEA | 16 | 31 | - | 349 | 11.3 | 32 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
2005 | SEA | 16 | 45 | - | 554 | 12.3 | 35 | 5 | 31 | 0 | 0 |
2006 | SEA | 11 | 22 | 48 | 231 | 10.5 | 26 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 1 |
2007 | TB | 15 | 18 | 21 | 189 | 10.5 | 24 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
2008 | TB | 14 | 36 | 59 | 397 | 11.0 | 31 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
2009 | TB | 16 | 15 | 32 | 130 | 8.7 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
2010 | TB | 5 | 3 | 5 | 43 | 14.3 | 22 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Career | 121 | 202 | 165 | 2,217 | 11.0 | 35 | 22 | 114 | 2 | 1 |
Personal life
[edit]Stevens was born inBoise, Idaho,to ablackfather and awhitemother, one of their four children.[30][33][34]His mother Fran worked as a police officer and school administrator, and his father Bob was a teacher and high school sports coach.[14][33][35]Bob Stevens died on September 4, 2012, at age 62, fromcancer.[35]Stevens grew up inLacey, Washington.
Stevens marriedHope Solo,a professionalsoccergoalkeeperformerly on theUnited States women's national soccer team,on November 13, 2012; the two had been dating for about two months, and the marriage came one day after Stevens was arrested for allegedly assaulting Solo.[36]Solo attended theUniversity of Washingtonfrom 1999 to 2003, nearly the same time as Stevens, and played for four seasons on theWashington Huskies women's soccerteam.[37]The couple welcomed Vittorio Genghis and Lozen Orianna Judith Stevens on March 4, 2020.[38]
Criminal allegations
[edit]Violent crime
[edit]- In spring 1998, Stevens—a high school senior—was charged with felony assault, which led to three weeks in the Thurston County jail after testing positive for marijuana, which violated the terms of his home confinement. "The felony charge appeared to place his [University of Washington football] scholarship in jeopardy—but three UW coaches wrote the judge, saying the UW's offer was still good."[39]
- In July 2000, Stevens was arrested and charged with rape. UW athletic director Barbara Hedges told news media that UW would investigate sexual battery charges; but the University did not. King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng's office "agreed to give crucial police evidence—the victim and witness statements—to Stevens's lawyers before the interview." This was directly contrary to standard police procedure, and the Seattle Police did not agree to release those statements, so an interview was never done. Despite DNA evidence, Maleng's office declined to prosecute.[39]
- On March 3, 2011, Stevens was arrested and charged with felony battery for punching two bouncers in a Tampa, Florida bar. According to his attorney, who denied the charges, after Stevens was released from jail, he was treated for "multiple broken ribs and extensive bruising to his body and face."[40]
- On November 12, 2012, Stevens was arrested on investigation of assault following an altercation that left his fiancée, soccer starHope Solo,injured, but aKirkland, Washingtonjudge dropped the case the following day for lack of evidence.[41]The pair were wed November 13, 2012, the day after the arrest.[36]
Traffic violations
[edit]- On October 19, 2000, Stevens sideswiped Donald Preston's Dodge Daytona on I-5 after "driving like a maniac" and "using the HOV lane as a passing lane." He fled the scene without giving any information to Preston. The State Trooper who tracked him via the license plate on his red truck did not charge him with hit-and-run but instead cited him for "driving too fast for conditions."[39]
- On May 4, 2001, Stevens was cited for reckless driving and hit and run after crashing hispickup truckinto aretirement home.The crash knocked adresseronto a bed where a 92-year-old woman was sleeping.[42]Stevens first lied, saying he did not know who was driving his truck; he later pleaded guilty to hit-and-run and causing property damage and was given asuspended90-day jail sentence, 240 hours of community service, and probation.[39][3][43]
- In 2002, after signing with the Seattle Seahawks, Stevens was ticketed for going 98 mph in his new Range Rover. Three months later, he was cited for negligent driving and paid a $490 fine.[39]
- On April 3, 2003, Stevens was stopped byMedina, Washingtonpolice and was charged with reckless driving and driving while intoxicated. He pleaded guilty to reckless driving. For violating probation from the May 2001 incident, Stevens served five days in jail effective June 12, 2003 and was ordered to do 40 hours of community service.[43]For the reckless driving charge, Stevens was sentenced to two days in jail, 25 hours of community service, and a $1,000 fine on June 23.[44]The sentencing judge compared Stevens toReggie Rogers,another star University of Washington football player who was convicted of DUI.[44]
- On March 13, 2007, eleven days after he became a free agent, Stevens was arrested inScottsdale, Arizonafor suspicion of DUI after hisblood alcohol contentwas measured at 0.204, more than twice the legal limit of.08 and considered "extreme DUI" in Arizona. On September 7, a jury found Stevens guilty.[45]Although the crime carries a mandatory minimum of 30 days in jail, the judge gave Stevens 12 days, "suspending the other 18 because he was enrolled in the NFL's substance-abuse program, the same program Stevens entered in 2003, after being stopped with two open champagne bottles in his car." The NFL suspended him for one game.[39][46]
- On January 19, 2015, Stevens, then 35, was arrested inManhattan Beach, Californiafor suspicion of DUI.[47]As a result of this incident, Steven's wife Hope Solo was suspended for thirty days from the U.S. Soccer team for showing poor judgement in entering the car and arguing with the police.[48]In May, Stevens was sentenced to 30 days in jail and four years' probation for driving a U.S. soccer team van while drunk. The judge also mandated a two-year outpatient alcohol program. Stevens had refused a blood orbreathalyzertest; officers had to obtain a search warrant to draw a blood sample; his blood-alcohol concentration was at least 0.15%.[49]
Other issues
[edit]- On March 16, 2007,The Seattle Timesreported that multiple complaints were raised against Stevens by other residents in his condominium complex. The complaints included vomit on their doors, used condoms on the back porch, loud parties at all hours of the night, and various noise complaints.[50]
- On October 23, 2010, Stevens was arrested and charged in Tampa with possession of marijuana. Stevens had been pulled over for playing loud music, when the officer smelled marijuana, and discovered 38 grams of it in his car.[31]Stevens was sentenced to probation until October 2013 for the incident but returned toHillsborough County, Floridajail on November 28, 2012, for violating probation.[51]
References
[edit]- ^abc"Jerramy Stevens".Tampa Bay Buccaneer.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^abAllen, Percy (August 7, 1998)."Stevens failed drug test".Seattle Times.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^abcdArmstrong, Ken; Perry, Nick (January 27, 2008)."Convicted of assault and accused of rape, star player received raft of second chances".The Seattle Times.RetrievedJanuary 27,2008.More articles from the series inthis link,with description: "The 2000 Huskies, winners of the Rose Bowl, stand as the UW's last great team. But an unprecedented look behind the scenes reveals an unsettling level of criminal conduct that was often excused or overlooked. Mistakes made then still haunt a program trying to rebuild."
- ^Allen, Percy (August 13, 1998)."Stevens Happy Just To Get Into Camp".Seattle Times.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^ab"Jerramy Stevens".Washington Huskies. Archived fromthe originalon December 10, 2010.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^abc"Jerramy Stevens".sports-reference.com. Archived fromthe originalon January 29, 2013.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^Newnham, Blaine (September 10, 2000)."Huskies score their biggest home victory in eight years".The Seattle Times.RetrievedApril 14,2013.
- ^O'Neil, Danny (September 10, 2000)."Tuiasosopo keeps defense on heels".The Miami Herald.Archived fromthe originalon January 10, 2001.
- ^Thompson, Adam (September 17, 2000)."Huskies have all the answers".Denver Post.Archived fromthe originalon February 7, 2001.
- ^Withers, Bud (September 24, 2001)."Stevens expected to miss eight weeks".Seattle Times.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^O'Neil, Danny (November 18, 2001)."Stevens Pass returns to UW attack".Seattle Times.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^"Prospect Profile: Jerramy Stevens".NFL. Archived fromthe originalon August 5, 2002.
- ^"2002 NFL Draft Listing".Pro-Football-Reference.com.RetrievedMarch 18,2023.
- ^abAllen, Percy (April 21, 2002)."Seahawks put faith in Huskies' Stevens".Seattle Times.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^"Seattle Seahawks 17 at Oakland Raiders 31 (Sunday, September 8, 2002)".pro-football-reference.com.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^"Jerramy Stevens Career Game Log".Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^Romero, José Miguel (November 25, 2002)."Seahawks offense comes alive to top Kansas City".Seattle Times.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^abcd"Jerramy Stevens".pro-football-reference.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^Robinson, Alan (February 2, 2006)."Steelers' Porter continues war of words".espn.com.Associated Press. Archived fromthe originalon February 8, 2006.Also published on ESPN.com as "Porter irked over Seahawks tight end's remarks".
- ^Bishop, Greg (February 6, 2006)."Stevens puts blame on self".Seattle Times.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^Gay, Nancy (November 9, 2006)."Brayton gets fine, but no suspension".San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^O'Neil, Danny; Romero, Jose Miguel (November 8, 2006)."Stevens takes lumps".The Seattle Times.RetrievedNovember 8,2006.
- ^Booth, Tim (March 20, 2007)."Seahawks GM says Jerramy Stevens won't be back in Seattle".USAToday.com.Associated Press.RetrievedMarch 21,2007.Also published by ESPN.com as "Troubled TE Stevens appears on way out of Seattle"
- ^United Press International."Seahawks sign TE Marcus Pollard".Archived fromthe originalon March 23, 2007.RetrievedMarch 21,2007.
- ^Henderson, Joe (May 3, 2007)."Stevens' Talent Apparently Justifies Risk".Tampa Tribune.Archived fromthe originalon May 3, 2007.
- ^Kaufman, Ira (December 3, 2007)."Stevens Comes Up Big At End".The Tampa Tribune.RetrievedApril 14,2013.
- ^Cummings, Roy (December 12, 2007)."Stevens Gets 1-Game Suspension".Tampa Tribune.RetrievedApril 14,2013.
- ^Cummings, Roy (May 31, 2008)."Bucs Cut One-Time Rookie Wonder".The Tampa Tribune.Archived fromthe originalon June 30, 2013.RetrievedApril 14,2013.
- ^"Bucs' Stevens suspended for two games".USA Today.Associated Press. June 4, 2008.RetrievedMay 6,2010.
- ^abcd"Jerramy Stevens".NFL.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^ab"Bucs release Jerramy Stevens".ESPN. October 25, 2010.
- ^"Jarramy Stevens Stats".ESPN Internet Ventures.RetrievedApril 14,2014.
- ^abCarpenter, Les (April 21, 2002)."Even his family hopes Stevens can finally behave".The Seattle Times.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^Griffus, Annette (September 6, 2012)."Former North Mason volleyball coach Stevens dies".Kitsap Sun.Archived fromthe originalon March 14, 2013.RetrievedApril 28,2013.
- ^ab"Bob Stevens, retired coach, teacher, dies".The Olympian.September 7, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon June 30, 2013.RetrievedApril 12,2013.
- ^abShira, Dahvi (November 14, 2012)."Hope Solo Weds Jerramy Stevens Amid Assault Allegations?".People.
- ^"Hope Solo".Washington Huskies. 2003. Archived fromthe originalon January 25, 2012.RetrievedApril 28,2013.
- ^Todisco, Eric (April 23, 2020)."Hope Solo and Husband Jerramy Stevens Welcome Twins, Daughter Lozen and Son Vittorio".People.com.Archivedfrom the original on April 24, 2020.RetrievedApril 23,2020.
- ^abcdefArmstrong, Ken; Nick Perry (January 28, 2008)."Convicted of assault and accused of rape, star player received raft of second chances".The Seattle Times.RetrievedJuly 2,2019.
- ^Morales, Ileana; Stroud, Rick (March 4, 2011)."Ex-Bucs TE Stevens arrested after fight".St. Petersburg Times.Archived fromthe originalon March 7, 2011.RetrievedMarch 4,2011.
- ^Dawson, Rachel (November 14, 2012)."Kirkland judge drops assault case between Jerramy Stevens, Hope Solo".Kirkland Reporter.RetrievedApril 14,2013.
- ^Kamb, Lewis (May 5, 2001)."Huskies star charged in hit-and-run".Seattle Post-Intelligencer.RetrievedApril 21,2013.
- ^abRomero, Jose Miguel (June 13, 2003)."Seahawks' Stevens will serve five days in jail".Seattle Times.RetrievedApril 21,2013.
- ^abRomero, Jose Miguel (June 24, 2003)."Jerramy Stevens' jail time now up to 7 days".Seattle Times.RetrievedApril 21,2013.
- ^"Bucs tight end Jerramy Stevens guilty of DUI".USA Today.Associated Press. September 7, 2007.RetrievedApril 21,2013.
- ^Sowers, Carol (October 3, 2007)."Tampa Bay TE, Stevens, gets 12 days in jail, fines for extreme DUI".The Arizona Republic.Archived fromthe originalon June 28, 2013.
- ^Nick Eaton (January 20, 2015)."Former UW, Seahawks player Jerramy Stevens, husband of Hope Solo, arrested for suspected DUI".Seattle PI.RetrievedJanuary 20,2015.
- ^Das, Andrew. (January 21, 2015)Hope Solo Is Suspended by U.S. Soccer for 30 Days,New York Times.
- ^Rocha, V (May 8, 2015)."Hope Solo's NFL husband surrenders for 30-day jail sentence in DUI case".LA Times.RetrievedJune 21,2016.
- ^Brodeur, Nicole (March 16, 2007)."Neighbors don't miss Jerramy".The Seattle Times.Archived fromthe originalon March 19, 2007.
- ^"Jerramy Stevens back in jail, this time in Florida".The Seattle Times.November 29, 2013.RetrievedApril 14,2013.
External links
[edit]- 1979 births
- Living people
- American football tight ends
- Seattle Seahawks players
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
- Washington Huskies football players
- American people convicted of assault
- Sportspeople from Boise, Idaho
- People from Lacey, Washington
- Players of American football from Idaho
- Players of American football from Washington (state)
- 21st-century African-American sportspeople
- 20th-century African-American sportspeople