Eric Stevens facts for kids
| No. 47 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Fullback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | October 1, 1989 |
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight: | 241 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Palos Verdes Peninsula High School |
| College: | California |
| Undrafted: | 2013 |
| Career history | |
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| Player stats at PFR | |
Eric James Stevens (born October 1, 1989) is a former American football player. He played as a fullback. He played college football for the University of California, Berkeley. The St. Louis Rams signed him in 2013. Eric is the brother of former NFL player Craig Stevens.
After his football career, Eric became a firefighter for the Los Angeles Fire Department. A few years later, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS.
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High School Sports
Eric Stevens was a great athlete in high school. In 2007, he was a senior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. He was named first-team All-Bay League. He also made the Daily Breeze All-Area team.
He made 110 tackles in football. He also caught 14 passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns. Eric was also good at wrestling. He earned All-Bay League honors in wrestling too.
College Football Career
Eric Stevens played football for the University of California, Berkeley. He was with the team from 2008 to 2012. He played in 35 games during his college career.
In 2008, he did not play. This is called a "redshirt" year. It means he could practice with the team but save a year of playing eligibility. In 2009, he mostly played on special teams. He also served as a backup fullback.
In 2010, Eric was the team's main fullback. He played in 11 games and started five. In 2011, he got a knee injury during training camp. This injury made him miss the whole season.
He came back in 2012 for his senior year. He played in 12 games and started five as a fullback. He ran for 51 yards and caught nine passes for 55 yards.
Playing in the NFL
The St. Louis Rams signed Eric Stevens on May 7, 2013. He joined them as an undrafted free agent. This means he was not chosen in the NFL draft.
He was released by the Rams on August 31, 2013. Two days later, he joined the team's practice squad. A practice squad is a group of players who train with the team. They can be called up to play if needed. Eric was released from the practice squad on October 1, 2013.
Fighting ALS: The #axeALS Campaign
In August 2019, Eric Stevens was diagnosed with ALS. This happened one month after he married his wife, Amanda. ALS is a serious disease that affects nerve cells.
To help raise money and awareness, his family started the #axeALS campaign. They wanted to get access to an experimental treatment called NurOwn. Fire stations across the country joined in. They posted pictures on social media with signs saying #axeALS.
Soon, the campaign became very popular. Many people who supported Eric posted their own #axeALS pictures. It turned into a viral challenge.
On November 11, 2019, Eric appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. His fire department surprised him there. They gave a $50,000 donation to help with his treatment.
On April 5, 2023, Eric and Amanda Stevens shared good news. They believe the experimental medication NurOwn has helped Eric. Four years after his diagnosis, he can still walk, talk, and eat.
