Former New England Patriot Matt Stevens Dies at 51: 'Beloved Son and Father'

Former New England Patriots safety Matt Stevens has passed away at age 51.

According to an obituary and funeral service announcement on Walker's Funeral Home in Chapel Hill, NC., Stevens died on March 20. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew Stevens age 51, beloved son and father," the obituary said.

"He leaves his mother, Jean Thillberg, his father Vincent Stevens, his brother Mark Stevens and his children Cassidie and Colin Stevens of Avon by the Sea New Jersey, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins," per the obituary.

Stevens had been living in Durham after retiring from the NFL in 2003 and enjoyed competitive shooting, his family said.

No cause of death was made public.

Stevens was on the Patriots team that went on to upset the Los Angeles Rams and win the Super Bowl in 2001. He also played for the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles.

Friends and family spoke out in comments on the obituary's website. A former teammate of Stevens' at Appalachian State University named James "J.K" Reaves said he "always appreciated his presence on the field" and called Stevens "hands down the fastest guy on the team."

"He went on to do what so many of us dreamed of, playing at the professional level," Reaves continued. "His journey, like many, had its highs and lows, but through it all, he remained driven...I hope they carry forward his spirit, his strength and his love for the game."

Another commenter, Philip Elmore, said he used to work as a cameraman for the team when Stevens was on the roster. "Good memories from the road trips with Matt riding on the defensive bus. Good times on the sidelines," Elmore wrote.

"Man, this is strange, gone way too soon. He was a good guy and a very focused, defensive player, even in practice."

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In 2007, Stevens tragically became paralyzed from the waist down following a motorcycle accident. According to the Houston Texans, Stevens hit a patch of gravel that threw him into a speed limit sign, which broke in half from the impact of Stevens' body. He later underwent seven months of recovery.

"I have a girl who loves me and I have two kids," he told the outlet at the time. "The reason I subconsciously made it through the accident when I was in a coma is due to my kids."

In 2011, Stevens was reportedly one of a dozen patients selected for the clinical trials of ReWalk, a wearable device that helped him regain some of his mobility.

A memorial service for Stevens will be held on Friday, March 28 at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Chapel Hill.