Rookie of the Year: John Stephens, 1988

Running Back, New England Patriots

Age: 22

College: Northwestern State (LA)

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 220

Prelude:

After setting a school rushing record with 3057 yards at Northwestern State, Stephens was chosen by the Patriots in the first round (17^th overall) of the 1988 NFL draft. He proved to be a key component in turning the team around from a 2-4 start with his solid running between the tackles.

1988 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 297 [5]

Most attempts, game – 35 (for 124 yds.) vs. Chicago 10/30

Yards – 1168 [5]

Most yards, game – 134 yards (on 25 carries) at Buffalo 10/23

Average gain – 3.9

TDs – 4

100-yard rushing games – 5

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 14      

Most receptions, game – 3 (for 15 yds.) vs. Miami 11/6, (for 29 yds.) at Denver 12/17

Yards – 98

Most yards, game – 29 (on 3 catches) at Denver 12/17

Average gain – 7.0

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 5

Points – 30

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: NEA

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA (co-winner)

AFC Rookie of the Year: UPI

1^st-team All-AFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Patriots went 9-7 to finish third in the AFC East.

Aftermath:

Beginning in the preseason, Stephens was dogged by injuries in 1989 and his production slipped to 833 rushing yards with an average of 3.4 yards per carry. It was a similar situation in ’90, gaining 808 yards on the ground with a 3.8-yard average gain. While an effective power runner who rarely fumbled, his tendency to carry the ball with both arms slowed him down. Relegated to a backup role behind rookie Leonard Russell in 1991, Stephens was shifted to fullback in ’92. He was traded to Green Bay in 1993 but lasted five games before finishing up with the Chiefs in what was his last pro season. Overall, he rushed for 3440 yards on 945 carries (3.6 avg.) and gained another 812 yards on 105 pass receptions, scoring a total of 20 touchdowns.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).