Stephen Boyd (football player)

Infobox NFLretired


name=Stephen Boyd
|width=
caption=
position=Linebacker
number=57
birthdate=birth date and age|1972|8|22
Valley Stream, New York
deathdate=
debutyear=1995
finalyear=2001
draftyear=1995
draftround=5
draftpick=141
college=Boston College
teams=
* Detroit Lions (1995-2001)
stat1label=Sacks
stat1value=6.5
stat2label=Interceptions
stat2value=3
stat3label=Games
stat3value=86
nfl=BOY331450
highlights=
* Pro Bowl (x2) (1999, 2000)
* All-Pro in 2000

Stephen Gerard Boyd (born August 22, 1972) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was a two time Pro Bowl selection as middle linebacker from the Detroit Lions. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL Draft out of Boston College, the 141st selection, where he starred for four seasons.

Early years

Boyd played his high school football for Valley Stream Central High School (Valley Stream, NY), where he led the Eagles to the 1989 Nassau County Conference II Championship. In 1994 he was elected as the ECAC Player of the Year. As a senior, he was also invited to play in the 1994 East-West Shrine Game and the 1994 Hula Bowl.

Professional career

1995-1997

As a rookie in the NFL, he backed up legendary All-Pro middle linebacker Chris Spielman. When Spielman left the Lions for the Buffalo Bills in 1996, Boyd became a starter and an integral part of the defense for the next six seasons. In 1997, Boyd paced the Lions with 192 tackles leading Detroit to the NFC Wild Card game for the second time in three seasons. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week (8/31) in the season opener when he scored his first career touchdown (42 yard fumble recovery) and set up the game winning TD with his first career interception. He also led the team with 15 tackles.

1998

In 1998, Boyd led the Lions with 156 tackles despite missing the last three games of the season with a shoulder injury. He was named NFC Player of the Month for November when he compiled 56 tackles and two sacks in four games. He was named as first alternate at middle linebacker on the NFC's Pro Bowl squad and would have played in the game had he not been recovering from a shoulder injury.

1999

In 1999, Boyd led the team in tackles for the third straight season with 188 stops. He was also named to the All-Madden team for the first time. In a to the Washington Redskins Boyd recorded 18 tackles and returned his first post-season interception five yards. He was also named to his first Pro Bowl as a starter for the NFC as middle linebacker.

2000

In 2000, Boyd led the Lions for the fourth consecutive year with 166 tackles. He recorded 10 double-digit tackle outings in the 15 games that he played. Named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl and was named Associated Press All-Pro Second Team and All-NFC for the second straight season by the "Football News".

2001

Boyd retired in May 2002 after playing in only 4 games in the 2001 season because of chronic back pain.

Post-playing career

He currently resides in Long Beach, New York and is an assistant coach for Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York.