Stephone Anthony
{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Stephone Anthony
| image = Stephone Anthony.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Anthony with the New Orleans Saints in 2015
| current_team = Clemson Tigers
| number =
| position = Graduate assistant
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|7|28|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Polkton, North Carolina, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 245
| high_school = Anson
(Wadesboro, North Carolina)
| college = Clemson (2011–2014)
| draftyear = 2015
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 31
| pastteams =
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2020}})*
| pastcoaching =
| highlights =
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2015)
- First-team All-ACC (2014)
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 152
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 1.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 1
| statlabel6 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 1
| pfr = A/AnthSt00
}}
Stephone Anthony (born July 28, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers. After his playing career, he joined Clemson's coaching staff as a graduate assistant.
Early life
A native of Polkton, North Carolina, Anthony attended Anson High School, where he was a four-year starter. Anthony had 123 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two interceptions as a senior in 2010.
In addition to football, Anthony was also a catcher on the baseball team and a power forward on the basketball team, as well as a track athlete (11.3 s in the 100m).
Regarded as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Anthony was rated the No. 3 outside linebackers prospect.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-2662|title=Outside linebackers 2011|work=Rivals.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306033217/https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-2662|archive-date=March 6, 2016}} He chose Clemson over UNC, Florida, and Virginia Tech.{{Cite web|url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2011/stephone-anthony-11487|title=Stephone Anthony|website=Rivals.com|access-date=February 20, 2018}}
College career
He appeared in all 13 games in 2011, including three starts. For the season, he registered 32 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, a pass breakup, and a team-high two caused fumbles in 292 snaps. He started seven of 13 games as a sophomore, recording 77 tackles, one sack and an interception. Anthony started all 13 games as a junior in 2013. He recorded a team-high 131 tackles with four sacks and an interception.{{Cite news|url=http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/clemson/2014/08/05/clemsons-anthony-channeling-shueys-scrappy-stability/13654751/|title=Clemson's Anthony channeling Shuey's scrappy stability|last=Robinson|first=Manie|date=August 5, 2014|work=The Greenville News|access-date=February 20, 2018|language=en}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2+5/8
| weight = 243
| dash = 4.56
| ten split = 1.56
| twenty split = 2.63
| shuttle = 4.03
| cone drill = 7.07
| vertical = 37
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 2
| bench = 23
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 32+1/2
| hand span = 10+3/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/stephone-anthony?id=2552321|title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Stephone Anthony|last=Zierlein|first=Lance|website=NFL.com|language=en|access-date=February 20, 2018}}
}}
=New Orleans Saints (first stint)=
==2015==
Anthony was selected in the first round (31st overall) of the 2015 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints.{{Cite web |title=2015 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} The pick originally belonged to the Seattle Seahawks, and was traded to the Saints in the Max Unger-Jimmy Graham trade.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2015-nfl-draft-saints-get-c--for-picking-stephone-anthony-at-no-31/|title=2015 NFL Draft: Saints get C- for picking Stephone Anthony at No. 31|last=Wilson|first=Ryan|date=April 30, 2015|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=February 20, 2018|language=en}}
On May 12, 2015, the Saints signed him to a four-year, $7.73 million contract with $6.24 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3.38 million.{{Cite web|url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/stephone-anthony-16755/|title=Stephone Anthony|website=Spotrac.com|language=en-US|access-date=February 20, 2018}}
He recorded his first sack October 4 in the Saint's 26–20 win over the Dallas Cowboys. In a Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers, Anthony was fined $17,363 for his hit on wide receiver Devin Funchess.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/10/new_orleans_saints_lb_stephone.html|title=New Orleans Saints LB Stephone Anthony fined for hit on Panthers WR Devin Funchess|last=Terrell|first=Katherine|date=October 2, 2015|work=NOLA.com|access-date=February 20, 2018|language=en-US}} During the Saints' Week 12 matchup also against the Carolina Panthers, Anthony stopped running back Jonathan Stewart after a handoff up the middle, stripped the ball, then ran it back for a touchdown. Nobody chased him as everyone assumed the play was dead. In the same game, Anthony also became the first person in NFL history to return a blocked kick for two points after Kevin Williams blocked an extra point, following a rule change that took effect in the offseason to allow such returns.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/saints-first-ever-team-to-run-back-a-blocked-extra-point-for-two-points/|title=Saints first-ever team to run back a blocked extra point for two points|last=Dubin|first=Jared|date=December 6, 2015|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=February 20, 2018|language=en}} Anthony recorded his 100th tackle in a Week 15 game against the Detroit Lions, where he also forced a fumble. He became the first Saints' rookie to record 100 tackles in a season since Hall of Fame linebacker Rickey Jackson.
Anthony finished his rookie season with 112 tackles, one sack, one interception, and two forced fumbles. He had two scores, both coming against the Carolina Panthers, and led all rookies in tackles. Anthony was also named to the Pro Football Writers Association all-rookie team.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2016/01/new_orleans_saints_stephone_an_1.html|title=New Orleans Saints LB Stephone Anthony named to PFWA all-rookie team|last=Dabe|first=Christopher|date=January 19, 2016|work=NOLA.com|access-date=February 20, 2018|language=en-US}}
==2016==
On May 14, 2016, it was announced that Anthony would be moved to strongside linebacker, a position he never played before in the NFL.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/saints-stephone-anthony-will-move-to-strongside-linebacker/|title=Saints' Stephone Anthony: Will move to strongside linebacker|date=May 14, 2016|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=February 20, 2018|language=en}} Anthony would go on to only play in 10 games in the regular season, recording 16 tackles. On December 20 he was placed on the injured reserve list, ending his 2016 season.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18318999/new-orleans-saints-place-lb-stephone-anthony-injured-reserve|title=Saints LB Anthony put on IR after poor season|last=Triplett|first=Mike|date=December 20, 2016|work=ESPN.com|access-date=February 20, 2018}}
=Miami Dolphins=
On September 19, 2017, Anthony was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a 2018 fifth-round draft pick.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/dolphins-acquire-lb-stephone-anthony-from-saints-0ap3000000848297|title=Dolphins acquire LB Stephone Anthony from Saints|last=Sessler|first=Mark|date=September 17, 2017|work=NFL.com|access-date=February 20, 2018}}
On May 2, 2018, the Dolphins declined the fifth-year option on Anthony's contract, making him a free agent in 2019.{{cite web|title=Dolphins don't pick up Stephone Anthony's 2019 option|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/05/02/dolphins-dont-pick-up-stephone-anthonys-2019-option/|author=Alper, Josh|website=ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com|date=May 2, 2018}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
On July 26, 2019, Anthony signed with the Atlanta Falcons.{{cite web|title=Falcons agree to terms with Stephone Anthony and Richie Brown|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-agree-to-terms-with-stephone-anthony-and-richie-brown|author=McFadden, Will|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=July 26, 2019}} He was released on August 18, 2019.{{cite web |last1=McFadden |first1=Will |title=Falcons agree to terms with Jalen Myrick, release Stephone Anthony |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-agree-to-terms-with-jalen-myrick-release-stephone-anthony |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |access-date=August 18, 2019}}
=New York Jets=
On August 20, 2019, Anthony signed with the New York Jets.{{cite web|title=Jets Sign LB Stephone Anthony, Waive S Santos Ramirez|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-lb-stephone-anthony-waive-s-santos-ramirez|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 20, 2019}} He was released on August 31, 2019.{{cite web|title=Jets Announce 38 Moves to Get Down to 53-Man Roster|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-announce-38-moves-to-get-down-to-53-man-roster|author=Lange, Randy|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 31, 2019}}
=New Orleans Saints (second stint)=
On September 25, 2019, Anthony signed with the Saints. He was released on October 16, but was re-signed a week later.{{cite web|title=Saints sign RB Zach Zenner, TE Brian Parker ahead of Bears; LB Stephone Anthony released|url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_e2161e1e-f044-11e9-9a48-4b61504d1e62.html|website=NOLA.com|date=October 16, 2019}}
=Arizona Cardinals=
On November 16, 2020, Anthony was signed to the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals.{{Cite web |last=Kwong |first=Andy |date=2020-11-16 |title=Cardinals sign Stephone Anthony and Terrance Smith to the practice squad |url=https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2020/11/16/21570438/cardinals-sign-stephone-anthony-and-terrance-smith-to-the-practice-squad |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Revenge of the Birds |publisher=SB Nation |language=en}} He was released on November 24, 2020.{{cite news |author=Odegard, Kyle |title=Kyler Murray Calls Limited Practice 'Precautionary' Move |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/kyler-murray-calls-limited-practice-precautionary-move |website=AZCardinals.com |date=November 24, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2020}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| Bold
| Career high |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2015 | NOR
| 16 || 16 || 112 || 70 || 42 || 1.0 || 5 || 1 || 5 || 0 || 5 || 5 || 2 || 1 || 31 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | NOR
| 10 || 3 || 16 || 12 || 4 || 0.0 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 | MIA
| 8 || 0 || 15 || 12 || 3 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 | MIA
| 16 || 0 || 8 || 3 || 5 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | NOR
| 12 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| | 62 | 20 | 152 | 97 | 55 | 1.0 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 1 |
Coaching career
In 2022, Anthony began his coaching career, joining the staff at his alma mater, Clemson, as a defensive graduate assistant.{{cite news |last1=Barnett |first1=Zach |title=Clemson announces a slew of promotions, new hires, and raises |url=https://footballscoop.com/news/clemson-announces-promotions-thomas-austin-offensive-line-coach |access-date=2 February 2022 |work=footballscoop.com |publisher=Football Scoop |date=2 February 2022}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{footballstats|yahoo=28419}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131020025457/http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=657772&SPID=103701&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=205529350&Q_SEASON=2013 Clemson Tigers bio]
{{2015 NFL Draft}}
{{SaintsFirstPick}}
{{Saints2015DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anthony, Stephone}}
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Clemson Tigers football players
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:People from Polkton, North Carolina