Shamar Stephen
{{Short description|American football player (born 1991)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Shamar Stephen
| image = Shamar Stephen.JPG
| caption = Stephen with the Vikings in 2015
| current_team =
| number = 93, 98, 99
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|2|25|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Brookville, New York, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lbs = 309
| high_school = Long Island Lutheran
(Brookville, New York)
| college = UConn
| draftyear = 2014
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 220
| pastteams = * Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2018}})
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2021}})
| status =
| highlights = * Second-team All-AAC (2013)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 207
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 4.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 3
| pfr = StepSh00
}}
Shamar Irvin Stephen ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|t|ɛ|f|ən}} {{respell|STEF|ən}}; born February 25, 1991) is a former American football defensive end.{{cite web |title=Denver Broncos' depth chart |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/team/depth-chart/ |website=Denverbroncos.com}} He played college football at UConn. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round, 220th overall, of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.
Early life
Stephen attended Long Island Lutheran Middle and High School in Brookville, New York, where he was a two-sport standout playing football and basketball.{{cite web | title=Connecticut Profile | website=Uconnhuskies.com | url=http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/shamar_stephen_717614.html | access-date=January 26, 2014 | archive-date=April 22, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422074843/http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/shamar_stephen_717614.html | url-status=dead }} As a sophomore, he played both on defense and offense and compiled 9 tackles and a sack while also rushing for 91 yards on 18 carries (5.1 avg.) and a touchdown. As a junior, he started every game at defensive tackle and recorded 41 tackles and 7 sacks. While serving as the team captain in his senior season, he earned All-American Lutheran Team honors after finishing his final prep year with 57 tackles and 12.0 sacks along with 2 blocked kicks, helping lead the Crusaders to a 7–2 record.{{Cite web |url=http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/shamar_stephen_717614.html |title=Shamar Stephen Bio - UCONNHUSKIES.COM - the Official Website of the University of Connecticut Huskies |access-date=January 26, 2014 |archive-date=April 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422074843/http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/shamar_stephen_717614.html |url-status=dead }} In basketball, he was teammates with current Detroit Pistons player Tobias Harris as a sophomore.
College career
Stephen played college football at Connecticut from 2009 to 2013, where he was named a team captain prior to his senior season and also winning team MVP following the season. He was selected to the All-American Athletic Conference Second Team also in his senior season. Stephen was selected and participated in the 2014 Senior Bowl following the season at Connecticut.
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||||
| colspan="4"| Regular season statistics
! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="3"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | {{tooltip|GP|Games played (regular season)}} | {{tooltip|GS|Games started (regular season)}} | {{Tooltip| Comb | Combined tackles}} | {{Tooltip| Total | Total tackles}} | {{Tooltip| Ast | Assisted tackles}} | {{Tooltip| Sck | Sacks}} | {{Tooltip| Tfl | Tackles for loss}} | {{Tooltip| PDef | Passes defended}} | {{Tooltip| Int | Interceptions}} | {{Tooltip| Yds | Return yards}} | {{Tooltip| Avg | Average return yards}} | {{Tooltip| Lng | Long interception}} | {{Tooltip| TDs | Touchdowns}} | {{Tooltip|FF|Forced fumbles}} | {{Tooltip|FR|Fumble recoveries}} | {{Tooltip|FR YDS|Fumble return yards}} |
| 2010 | Connecticut | 12 | 7 | 27 | 13 | 14 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | Connecticut | 12 | 12 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | Connecticut | 12 | 10 | 26 | 14 | 12 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | Connecticut | 12 | 12 | 60 | 21 | 39 | 3.0 | 10.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| colspan=2|[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/shamar-stephen-1.html Career stats] | 48 | 41 | 130 | 55 | 75 | 5.0 | 17.0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4+7/8
| weight = 309
| dash = 5.25
| ten split = 1.83
| twenty split = 3.02
| shuttle = 4.89
| cone drill = 7.81
| vertical = 30.5
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 7
| bench = 25
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 33+1/8
| hand span = 10
| note = All values from NFL Combine and Pro Day{{cite web|url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=96714&draftyear=2014&genpos=DT|title=2019 Draft Scout Rankings|website=Nfldraftscout.com|access-date=October 28, 2021}}
}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
==2014 season==
Stephen was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round (220th overall pick) of the 2014 NFL draft,{{Cite web |title=2014 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} becoming the first player from the University of Connecticut drafted by the team since running back Vince Clements in 1971.{{cite web | title=2014 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings Select Shamar Stephen | work= dailynorseman.com | date= May 10, 2014 | url=http://www.dailynorseman.com/2014/5/10/5703608/2014-nfl-draft-minnesota-vikings-shamar-stephen |access-date=May 10, 2014}}
Stephen enjoyed a solid rookie season, with only first-round linebacker Anthony Barr being more productive among Vikings' rookie defenders. In the preseason, he received first-team snaps at nose tackle and lined up in both the nose and three-technique spots. He played 42 snaps against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, getting the second-most playing time of any Vikings defender. Stephen played in all 16 regular season games, the only Vikings rookie to do so, and started three times. He made his professional debut in the Vikings' season opener against the St. Louis Rams on September 7, 2014, notching two total tackles. He started his second career game against the Panthers in Week 13 and notched a career-best 10 tackles, with five solo stops. In the loss at Miami in Week 16, he had a season-high four quarterback hurries. On November 23, he made his first career start against the Green Bay Packers, replacing Sharrif Floyd at defensive tackle and matching his then career-best with four tackles in the game.
==2015 season==
In his second season, Stephen played in the first five games of the season for the Vikings. In Week 2, he recovered his first career fumble against the Detroit Lions after he fell on a Theo Riddick fumble forced by safety Harrison Smith. The following week, he had season-highs in defensive snaps with 20 and tackles with two against the San Diego Chargers.
On October 18, 2015, Stephen suffered a season-ending toe injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6 and was carted off the field. The Vikings would go on to place him on injured reserve on October 20, 2015.{{cite web|title = Vikings Place Shamar Stephen on IR, Sign Free Agent Kenrick Ellis|url = https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-place-shamar-stephen-on-ir-sign-free-agent-kenrick-ellis-16118431|website = Vikings.com|access-date = October 21, 2015}}
==2016–2017 seasons==
In 2016, Stephen started all 16 games, recording a career-high 39 tackles.
In 2017, Stephen was moved to a reserve role, starting only one game in 15 games played, recording 28 tackles.
=Seattle Seahawks=
=Return to Minnesota=
On March 13, 2019, Stephen returned to the Vikings, signing a three-year, $12.45 million contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/minnesota-vikings-free-agency-anthony-barr-shamar-stephen|title= Vikings Open Free Agency on Familiar Terms with Barr, Stephen |work=Vikings.com|date=March 13, 2019|first= Craig |last=Peters }}
In week 4 against the Chicago Bears, Stephen recorded his first sack of his second tenure with the Vikings on Chase Daniel in the 16–6 loss.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128093 |title=Bears lose Trubisky, shut down Cook in 16-6 win over Vikings |date=29 September 2019 |website=ESPN |access-date=29 September 2019}}
Stephen was released on March 16, 2021.{{cite news |author=Smith, Eric |title=Vikings Release Defensive Tackle Shamar Stephen |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/shamar-stephen-released-contract |website=Vikings.com |date=March 16, 2021 |access-date=March 16, 2021}}
=Denver Broncos=
Stephen signed a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos on April 8, 2021.{{cite news |author=DiLalla, Aric |title=Broncos agree to terms with DL Shamar Stephen |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-agree-to-terms-with-dl-shamar-stephen |website=DenverBroncos.com |date=April 6, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021}}{{cite web |title=2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – April |url=https://www.nfl.com/transactions/league/signings/2021/4 |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 9, 2021}}
=NFL statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Season
! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="3"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | {{tooltip|GP|Games played (regular season)}} | {{tooltip|GS|Games started (regular season)}} | {{Tooltip| Comb | Combined tackles}} | {{Tooltip| Total | Total tackles}} | {{Tooltip| Ast | Assisted tackles}} | {{Tooltip| Sck | Sacks}} | {{Tooltip| Sfty | Safeties}} | {{Tooltip| PDef | Passes defended}} | {{Tooltip| Int | Interceptions}} | {{Tooltip| Yds | Return yards}} | {{Tooltip| Avg | Average return yards}} | {{Tooltip| Lng | Long interception}} | {{Tooltip| TDs | Touchdowns}} | {{Tooltip|FF|Forced fumbles}} | {{Tooltip|FR|Fumble recoveries}} | {{Tooltip|Yds|Fumble return yards}} |
| 2014 || Minnesota Vikings
| 16 || 3 || 23 || 13 || 10 || 0.0 || -- || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2015 || Minnesota Vikings
| 5 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0.0 || -- || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2016 || Minnesota Vikings
| 16 || 16 || 38 || 16 || 22 || 0.0 || -- || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2017 || Minnesota Vikings
| 15 || 1 || 27 || 8 || 19 || 1.0 || -- || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2018 || Seattle Seahawks
| 15 || 14 || 22 || 8 || 14 || 2.0 || -- || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2019 || Minnesota Vikings
| 15 || 15 || 20 || 14 || 6 || 1.0 || -- || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 || Minnesota Vikings
| 16 || 16 || 32 || 18 || 14 || 0.5 || -- || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2021 || Denver Broncos
| 17 || 0 || 32 || 10 || 22 || 0.0 || -- || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| colspan=2|[https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/16866/shamar-stephen Career stats] || 115 || 65 || 196 || 88 || 108 || 4.5 || -- || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 1 |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/shamar_stephen_717614.html Connecticut Huskies bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422074843/http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/shamar_stephen_717614.html |date=April 22, 2014 }}
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{Vikings2014DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stephen, Shamar}}
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:UConn Huskies football players
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:Minnesota Vikings players
Category:People from Brookville, New York
Category:Sportspeople from Westbury, New York
Category:Seattle Seahawks players
Category:Players of American football from Nassau County, New York