On the field, Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson is in need of a big performance in 2025, after injuries and ineffectiveness–not to mention the worst offensive line in the NFL–slowed him down the past two seasons, during which he averaged just 3.9 yards per attempt. Stevenson also fumbled seven times last year.
Patriots rookie TreVeyon Henderson looks like he could be the team’s back of the future, but for now, it’s still Stevenson’s job and he needs a good year to firm up his place in New England and, just as important for him, firm up his place in the NFL in general.
But, off the field, for Stevenson, this year has taken a very different turn.
Rhamondre Stevenson Was ‘Best Friends’ With Dad
Stevenson was a late arrival to the Patriots‘ spring camps because he was dealing with the death of his father, who died in March at the young age of 54. For Stevenson, it was made extra hard because he had also recently lost childhood friend Brandan Harley, and the Patriots willingly gave him all the time he needed to grieve.
Stevenson was back with the team for minicamp in June. He has said he intends to treat this season like any other year once Week 1 kicks off on Sunday vs. the Raiders.
But, it turns out, he will have a little extra inspiration on his wrist. In an interview with CBS’s Dan Roche in Boston, Stevenson said he will be wearing a bracelet that has his dad’s ashes in it, even on game days.
“Me and my dad [Robert] were best friends,” Stevenson said (via Mike Reiss of ESPN). Every time I come out here, I hear his voice talking to me … I know he is still with me and carrying that love with me and my family.”
Patriots’ Mike Vrabel: ‘Clean Slate’
Stevenson has been thankful to Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and the staff for their compassion has he has dealt with his father’s death. Now, it’s on to football on Sundays, and Stevenson can be thankful that Vrabel is willing to wipe out last year’s fumble-ridden performance, pointing out that not all fumbles are the ball-carrier’s fault.
“Everybody has a fresh, clean slate,” Vrabel said of Stevenson last month. “We like to go through those things, and some of that is technique, some of that is the second guy in. A lot of times on fumbles, if you want to talk fumbles and ball security, I’m happy to do that, but one person’s got to have the ball in their hand every play offensively, and the rest of those 10 players are going to be responsible for protecting the guy with the ball.
“And so, yep, there were some instances where he put it on the ground, and there were some instances where the second guy came in, and we need to eliminate the second guy from coming in by the way that we play and our play demeanor and the way that we finish. So a clean slate, everybody has a clean slate.”
Patriots’ Rhamondre Stevenson Making Gameday Change After Personal Tragedy