New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson leaned on his teammates when tragedy struck. His father died suddenly in March. Head coach Mike Vrabel was just starting his role, and his staff was working to get to know the team.
Running backs coach Tony Dews flew out to Stevenson’s father’s funeral in March. At the Patriots’ Feb. 4 news conference, Stevenson commended Dews for showing up that day, and all the days that followed, saying it helped him through adversity and propelled him to success, and eventually, a trip to the Super Bowl.
“It was a new group of guys, new coaching staff. I had, what, one or two conversations with them. ... So I just felt like that was the start of this season for me. Just how close-knit we are, I think that was the start of it,” Stevenson told reporters.
“[Dews] coming out there, showing face in front of my family, in front of someone we love so much. That could be discouraging, pulling up, not really knowing the guy you’re going to the funeral [of]. So, I respect him for that, and I appreciate him for that. He’s always been there for me, making sure I’m good mentally. He’s just a great figure to have.”
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said it was just as important for the coaching staff to build trust with his players.
“I think there’s things that come up that you’re not really prepared for. And to have Rhamondre have something that traumatic happen to him and his family, and him not know us as people, was hard,” he said.
“And to try to support somebody that–he doesn’t know where we’re coming from; he doesn’t know Mike Vrabel, he doesn’t know Tony Dews–other than taking some faith that we’re looking out for him as a person, and we’re looking out for him and his family, and what’s best and how they handle it, and try to do everything that we could to get him in a place that he could come, do his job, perform and glorify his dad. He’s done that every single day. I’m proud of him.”
Stevenson was surprised by the act of goodwill, but it showed him that they cared about him not just as a football player, but as a man. That relationship helped him deal with the adversity that came once the season began.
He had less than 20 rushing yards in 4 of the first 6 games of the season; he fumbled twice in the Patriots’ Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and a third time in their Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills.
“Just knowing the people you work with [have] your back, that could give you so much confidence,” Stevenson said. “And I think that’s what it did for me. On the field and off the field, just carrying myself a certain way and just showing up to work.”
That confidence helped Stevenson turn his season around. He finished the season with 948 yards from scrimmage: 603 rushing, 345 receiving, and 9 total touchdowns.
In the playoffs, he amassed 194 rushing yards and another 86 receiving yards while helping the Patriots to the Super Bowl.
Vrabel praised Dews for his ability to build relationships with his players.
“We’re lucky to have people like Tony Dews who care deeply about not only his position, but everybody on this football team, and coaches and staff. He would have gone the second that I told him ... So obviously very appreciative of Tony,” Vrabel said.
Coaching staff showing goodwill toward the players has made the players more united as well.
“I’ve never been a part of a team like this. I talk to the defense more than I ever have. Like, I’ve got a lot of close friends on the defense side of the ball,” Stevenson said.
“That’s kind of not how it is in the NFL. You get close to your position group or your side of the ball, but I feel like we’re all super close. We get along very well, and we fight for one another, and I think that’s what makes us so good.”
