SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Tony Dews remembers the telephone name.
For him, it was a routine checkup on one in all his gamers. He had simply been employed because the Patriots’ new operating backs coach, and needed to start laying relationship bricks on an everyday March day.
For Rhamondre Stevenson, that afternoon was one of many final he ever spent together with his father.
“I name all the blokes each couple of weeks or so, and I known as the verify on (Stevenson), and he was doing nicely,” Dews remembered. “His dad was there, and whereas I used to be speaking to him, his dad was within the background. They had been watching MMA fights or one thing. His dad was cooking.”
Robert Stevenson died roughly two weeks later. He was 54 years outdated.
To that time, Dews had solely related together with his star again twice in particular person and as soon as over the telephone. Despite the fact that they had been on reverse sides of the nation then, with Dews in New England and Stevenson in Las Vegas with household, one other name wouldn’t do within the aftermath of such loss.
After a member of the Patriots’ public relations workers knowledgeable each coaches of what had occurred, Dews and head coach Mike Vrabel met to debate how they might assist their beginning operating again. Dews steered flying out to go to him. Feedback Vrabel made this week steered he informed Dews at that second to attend a short time.
Ready finally allowed Dews to attend the repast, a post-funeral gathering amongst household and associates. First, he cleared a go to with Stevenson. Then, he cleared his calendar.
Dews estimated he spent 48 hours complete within the space, time that has rippled all through this season; a magic trip powered partly by a few of the finest soccer of Stevenson’s profession.
“I simply felt like that was the beginning of this season for me, simply how close-knit we’re. I believe that was the beginning of it,” Stevenson stated. “(Dews) coming on the market and displaying face in entrance of my household, that might be discouraging, not likely realizing the man whose funeral you’re going to, so I respect him for that. And I recognize him for that. He’s all the time been there for me to ensure I’m good mentally.”
On the repast, Stevenson launched Dews to his mom, Juran, and different members of the family. They broke bread. Stevenson spent hours together with his new coach, who texted him earlier than flying house.
“I didn’t count on him to return spend that point with me due to the state of affairs,” Dews stated.
However the gesture struck Stevenson, and nonetheless does to at the present time.
“It simply confirmed me how intentional they had been (caring) not nearly soccer, however ensuring I’m good mentally and as an individual,” he stated.
Grief nonetheless saved Stevenson away from the Patriots’ preliminary conferences and practices below Vrabel final spring. Nobody was fairly certain when he would return, however Dews maintains he by no means thought Stevenson would go away the workforce for good. Quickly after he returned, the 27-year-old again opened up as a part of the Patriots’ new “4 H’s” custom, the place gamers and coaches share about their hometowns, heroes, heartbreaks and hopes in a workforce assembly.
Again then, Stevenson didn’t expose many particulars concerning the lack of his father, whom he known as his finest buddy. However because the season progressed, he started to reference his dad in conversations with Dews.
“We’ll be speaking about one thing football-related, and he’ll say, ‘Oh, that’s the identical factor my dad stated,’” Dews stated. “Nevertheless it’s simply typically as a result of I believe he’s considerably of a personal particular person.”
Midseason, Stevenson started to open up about his loss in interviews and revealed he wears a bracelet that carries a few of his father’s ashes inside. He additionally used the caption “RIP Pops” each time he’s posted to Instagram after video games this season. Dews maintained contact together with his star again off the sphere, sending texts at Thanksgiving and Christmas when he knew the ache of his father’s absence can be magnified.
Robert was a central determine in his son’s life, and the household’s pleasure across the holidays.
“After I was on the market, it appeared like their home was the one everybody needed to be at,” Dews stated. “His dad was like the favourite uncle.”
That bond helped buoy Stevenson by means of laborious days, which peaked with the return of a fumbling drawback that dogged him final yr. Followers and media members known as for his job. However Vrabel stood by him. So did Dews. Stevenson knew they had been true to their phrase.
Since then, he hasn’t fumbled as soon as and has as an alternative began operating like no different again in soccer.
“I’m pleased with him,” Vrabel stated. “I can’t think about how that felt and what that also looks like. We’re fortunate to have individuals like Tony Dews who care deeply about not solely his place however all people on this soccer workforce, coaches and workers.”
During the last six video games, all Patriots wins, Stevenson has damaged 24 tackles and averaged 5.7 yards per carry. He additionally leads the league in Subsequent Gen Stats’ rush yards over expectation, a metric that measures how usually a operating again is gaining extra or fewer yards than anticipated primarily based on his environment right down to down.
“Simply realizing the individuals you’re employed with have your again, that offers you a lot confidence. And I believe that’s what it did for me on the sphere and off the sphere,” Stevenson stated. “Simply carrying myself a sure method and simply (all the time) displaying as much as work.”
Stevenson performed his finest sport within the Pats’ regular-season finale, a 38-10 thrashing of Miami. He piled up 131 yards and two touchdowns on simply seven carries. His mom was within the stands that night time. His father would have been, too.
If the Patriots win the Tremendous Bowl this Sunday, his father shall be shut. In spirit and down the street.
As a result of the late Robert Stevenson was many issues: a proud husband, father, Patriots fan, good prepare dinner and Bay Space native.
