Stevan Ridley
{{Short description|American football player (born 1989)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Stevan Ridley
| image = Stevan_Ridley.JPG
| caption = Ridley with the New England Patriots in 2011
| number = 22, 33, 38
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|1|27}}
| birth_place = Natchez, Mississippi, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 220
| high_school = Trinity Episcopal Day School (Natchez, Mississippi)
| college = LSU (2007–2010)
| draftyear = 2011
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 73
| pastteams =
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2011}}–{{NFL Year|2014}})
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2015}})
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2016}})*
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2016}})*
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2016}})
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2017}})*
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2017}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
| highlights =
- Super Bowl champion (XLIX)
- BCS national champion (2007)
- Second-team All-SEC (2010)
| statlabel1 = Rushing attempts
| statvalue1 = 743
| statlabel2 = Rushing yards
| statvalue2 = 3,102
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 24
| statlabel4 = Receptions
| statvalue4 = 30
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 162
| pfr = RidlSt00
}}
Stevan Todd Ridley (born January 27, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft. Ridley was also a member of the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Patriots, he won Super Bowl XLIX.
Early life
Ridley was born in Natchez, Mississippi. He attended Trinity Episcopal Day School in Natchez, where he played running back and linebacker for the Trinity Episcopal Saints high school football team.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Shalise Manza |date=October 9, 2011 |title=Hard to put down |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2011/10/09/hard_to_put_down/ |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Boston.com}} As a senior in 2006, he rushed for 3,086 yards and 38 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley, 2007 Athlete |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2007/stevan-ridley-11137 |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}} He also competed in track, recording personal-bests of 11.25 seconds in the 100 meters and 23.42 seconds in the 200 meters.
College career
While at LSU, Ridley played from 2008 to 2010.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/stevan-ridley-1.html |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} As a freshman, he rushed for 12 times for 92 yards and a rushing touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley 2008 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/stevan-ridley-1/gamelog/2008/ |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} As a sophomore, he rushed 45 times for 180 yards and three rushing touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/stevan-ridley-1/gamelog/2009/ |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He rushed 249 times for a career-high of 1,147 yards and 15 touchdowns in the 2010 season while also serving as permanent team captain.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/stevan-ridley-1/gamelog/2010/ |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kleinpeter |first=Jim |date=July 18, 2019 |title=Top 5 LSU running backs drafted under Les Miles |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/article_e5fa7de4-f2fe-57ef-9bd2-240545ea53b9.html |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=NOLA.com |language=en}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="3"| Receiving | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | TD | |
| 2008 | LSU
| 12 || 92 || 7.7 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||
| 2009 | LSU
| 45 || 180 || 4.0 || 3 || 6 || 33 || 0 | ||||||
| 2010 | LSU
| 249 || 1,147 || 4.6 || 15 || 11 || 61 || 0 | ||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/stevan-ridley-1.html Career] | 306 | 1,419 | 4.6 | 19 | 17 | 94 | 0 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11 1/4
| weight = 225
| dash = 4.66
| ten split = 1.66
| twenty split = 2.65
| shuttle = 4.17
| cone drill = 6.78
| vertical = 36.0
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 10
| bench = 21
| arm span = 31 7/8
| hand span = 9 1/4
| note = Sources:{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/stevan-ridley/32005249-4465-8759-7b54-aa5c5dbed421 |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2011 NFL Draft Scout Stevan Ridley College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=71531&DraftYear=2011 |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=New England Patriots=
==2011 season==
Ridley was selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft with the 73rd overall pick by the New England Patriots, a round after the Patriots drafted another running back, Shane Vereen, with the 56th overall pick.{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2011 |title=Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen Add Exciting Dynamic to Patriots' Offensive Backfield |url=https://nesn.com/2011/04/stevan-ridley-shane-vereen-add-exciting-dynamic-to-patriots-offensive-backfield/ |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=NESN.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=2011 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/draft.htm |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Ridley scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 4 of his rookie season, in the Patriots' 31–19 win over the Oakland Raiders; he had 97 yards on 10 carries (for an average of 9.7 yards per carry), including a 33-yard touchdown run, and a three-yard reception.{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots at Oakland Raiders – October 2nd, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201110020rai.htm |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Overall, he finished his rookie season with 87 carries for 441 yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RidlSt00/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2012 season==
In the regular season opener, Ridley had his best game of his early career in a 34–13 win over the Tennessee Titans. He had 125 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown, and also grabbed three catches out of the backfield for 27 yards.{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans – September 9th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201209090oti.htm |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 5, he topped his Week 1 performance with 151 yards rushing, with one touchdown, against the Denver Broncos.{{Cite web |title=Denver Broncos at New England Patriots – October 7th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201210070nwe.htm |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In his second year, he proved to be a dependable running back in the NFL after racking up 1,263 total yards on 290 carries, while scoring 12 rushing touchdowns during the regular season.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RidlSt00/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} His 82 first down rushes ranked third in the league among all NFL running backs. During the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens on January 20, 2013, Ridley suffered a concussion after a head-to-head collision with Bernard Pollard, which also resulted in a fumble and a turnover. The Patriots lost to the Ravens by a score of 13–28.{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship – Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots – January 20th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201301200nwe.htm |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2013 season==
In the regular season opener, Ridley was benched in the second half of the game after losing a fumble. Ridley carried the ball nine times for 46 yards in the 23–21 win over the Buffalo Bills.{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills – September 8th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309080buf.htm |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} After losing fumbles in three straight games, Ridley was a healthy scratch in the Patriots' Week 13 34–31 win over the Houston Texans. Plagued by the fumbling issues, Ridley lost significant playing time to LeGarrette Blount in his 2013 campaign, and finished the regular season with 178 carries for 773 yards with seven touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=2013 New England Patriots Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2013.htm |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He also had 10 catches for 62 yards on the season, the most in his career.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RidlSt00/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the 2013–14 NFL playoffs, Ridley recorded his first career postseason multi-touchdown performance, rushing 14 times for 52 yards and two touchdowns in the Patriots' 43–22 Divisional Round win over the Indianapolis Colts.{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – January 11th, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201401110nwe.htm |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2014 season==
Ridley had his longest rush (43 yards) in his career on October 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals.{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots – October 5th, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201410050nwe.htm |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During a Week 6 37–22 win against the Buffalo Bills, Ridley tore his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament, which ended his season.{{Cite news |last=Volin |first=Ben |date=October 16, 2014 |title=Replacing Stevan Ridley won't be easy for Patriots |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/10/15/replacing-stevan-ridley-won-easy-for-patriots/PVTkWyyubffbEchFKEuWKJ/story.html |access-date=October 16, 2014 |work=The Boston Globe}} Overall, he finished the 2014 season with 94 carries for 340 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RidlSt00/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Despite being on injured reserve, Ridley was a part of the Patriots Super Bowl XLIX team that defeated the defending champion Seattle Seahawks 28–24.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLIX – Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots – February 1st, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201502010sea.htm |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=New York Jets=
Ridley was signed by the New York Jets on April 13, 2015.{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Randy |date=April 13, 2015 |title=RB Stevan Ridley Joins the Jets' Backfield |url=http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-9/RB-Stevan-Ridley-Joins-the-Jets-Backfield/0dc555e3-3cf5-4448-a2d8-6d4422ce035d |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414045307/http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-9/RB-Stevan-Ridley-Joins-the-Jets-Backfield/0dc555e3-3cf5-4448-a2d8-6d4422ce035d |archive-date=April 14, 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2015 |website=New York Jets}} During the 2015 season, Ridley played in eight games for the Jets, including one start, after missing the first half of the season due to a knee injury.{{Cite web |last=Chiari |first=Mike |date=September 1, 2015 |title=Stevan Ridley Injury: Updates on Jets RB's Recovery from Knee Surgery |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2559138-stevan-ridley-injury-updates-on-jets-rbs-recovery-from-knee-surgery |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Bleacher Report}} He finished the season with 36 carries for 90 yards.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RidlSt00/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Detroit Lions=
On April 5, 2016, Ridley signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2016 |title=Lions sign free agent RB Stevan Ridley |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-sign-free-agent-rb-stevan-ridley-16993121 |access-date=April 5, 2016 |website=Detroit Lions}} On August 25, 2016, Ridley was released by the Lions.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=August 25, 2016 |title=Detroit Lions release ex-Patriots RB Stevan Ridley |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/detroit-lions-release-ex-patriots-rb-stevan-ridley-0ap3000000689949 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}
=Indianapolis Colts=
On August 28, 2016, Ridley signed with the Indianapolis Colts. He was released by the team one week later on September 3.{{Cite web |last=Bowen |first=Kevin |date=September 3, 2016 |title=Colts Begin Roster Cuts, Waive 10 Players, Sign Stevan Ridley |url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Begin-Roster-Cuts-Waive-10-Players-Sign-Stevan-Ridley/905a93ed-ebe2-4070-841d-ed21537829ac |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814143331/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Begin-Roster-Cuts-Waive-10-Players-Sign-Stevan-Ridley/905a93ed-ebe2-4070-841d-ed21537829ac |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |website=Colts.com}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
On October 25, 2016, Ridley was signed by the Atlanta Falcons.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Curtis |date=October 25, 2016 |title=Falcons release Person, Hawk; sign Ward, Ridley |url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/falcons-release-person-hawk-sign-ward-ridley/0bd7c28b-b8d6-4953-bdb7-66c429588987 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816104750/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/falcons-release-person-hawk-sign-ward-ridley/0bd7c28b-b8d6-4953-bdb7-66c429588987 |archive-date=August 16, 2017 |access-date=October 25, 2016 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}} On November 3, he appeared in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had three carries for seven yards.{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 3rd, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201611030tam.htm |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was released by the team on November 23, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Curtis |date=November 23, 2016 |title=Falcons Promote CB Olatoye, Release RB Ridley |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-promote-cb-olatoye-release-rb-ridley-18138781 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}
=Denver Broncos=
On July 27, 2017, Ridley was signed by the Denver Broncos.{{Cite web |last=Swanson |first=Ben |date=July 27, 2017 |title=Broncos sign RB Stevan Ridley, waive G Chris Muller |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-rb-stevan-ridley-waive-g-chris-muller-19057885 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=DenverBroncos.com}} He was released on September 2, 2017.{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Andrew |date=September 2, 2017 |title=Broncos trim roster at deadline |url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-trim-roster-at-deadline/234c49ac-2b09-496b-9175-b8fdc28f39dd |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130182211/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-trim-roster-at-deadline/234c49ac-2b09-496b-9175-b8fdc28f39dd |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
On October 5, 2017, Ridley signed with the Minnesota Vikings after a season-ending injury to rookie Dalvin Cook.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=October 5, 2017 |title=Minnesota Vikings sign free-agent RB Stevan Ridley |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/minnesota-vikings-sign-free-agent-rb-stevan-ridley-0ap3000000856967 |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}} On October 9, 2017, he was released by the Vikings.{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2017 |title=Vikings Activate WR Michael Floyd, Release RB Stevan Ridley |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-activate-wr-michael-floyd-release-rb-stevan-ridley-19536429 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Vikings.com}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On December 19, 2017, Ridley signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=December 19, 2017 |title=Steelers sign Ridley |url=http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-4/Steelers-sign-Ridley/542369c8-53bc-4a9d-95d4-bffd35b78fdf |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Steelers.com}} He appeared in two games in the regular season for the Steelers and had 108 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RidlSt00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On April 4, 2018, Ridley re-signed with the Steelers.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |author-link=Charean Williams |date=2018-04-03 |title=Report: Stevan Ridley to re-sign with Steelers |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-stevan-ridley-to-re-sign-with-steelers |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} He totaled 29 carries for 80 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 2018 season.{{Cite web |title=Stevan Ridley 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RidlSt00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=March 6, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
NFL career statistics
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2|Year !! rowspan=2|Team !! colspan=2|Games !! colspan=5|Rushing !! colspan=5|Receiving ! colspan=2|Fumbles | |||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | NE
| 16 || 2 || 87 || 441 || 5.1 || 33T || 1 || 3 || 13 || 4.3 || 8 || 0 || 1 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2012 | NE
| 16 || 12 || 290 || 1,263 || 4.4 || 41 || 12 || 6 || 51 || 8.5 || 20 || 0 || 4 || 2 | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | NE
| 14 || 6 || 178 || 773 || 4.3 || 29 || 7 || 10 || 62 || 6.2 || 24 || 0 || 4 || 4 | ||||||||||||
| 2014 | NE
| 6 || 5 || 94 || 340 || 3.6 || 43 || 2 || 4 || 20 || 5.0 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2015 | NYJ
| 8 || 1 || 36 || 90 || 2.5 || 13 || 0 || 4 || −2 || −0.5 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | ATL
| 1 || 0 || 3 || 7 || 2.3 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | PIT
| 2 || 1 || 26 || 108 || 4.2 || 21 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | PIT
| 10 || 0 || 29 || 80 || 2.8 || 12 || 1 || 3 || 18 || 6.0 || 10 || 0 || 2 || 2 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RidlSt00.htm Career] || 73 || 27 || 743 || 3,102 || 4.2 || 43 || 24 || 30 || 162 || 5.4 || 24 || 0 || 11 || 8 |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons}}
- {{Football stats |nfl=stevan-ridley|espn=14028|yahoo=24860 |pfr=R/RidlSt00}}
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616060232/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=785352 |date=June 16, 2011 |title=LSU Tigers bio}}
{{2007 LSU Tigers football navbox}}
{{Patriots2011DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl XLIX}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ridley, Stevan}}
Category:Players of American football from Natchez, Mississippi
Category:American football running backs
Category:LSU Tigers football players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Indianapolis Colts players
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Denver Broncos players