SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Tony Dews remembers the phone call.
For him, it was a routine checkup on one of his players. He had just been hired as the Patriots’ new running backs coach, and wanted to begin laying relationship bricks on a regular March day.
For Rhamondre Stevenson, that afternoon was one of the last he ever spent with his father.
“I call all the guys every couple of weeks or so, and I called the check on (Stevenson), and he was doing well,” Dews remembered. “His dad was there, and while I was talking to him, his dad was in the background. They were watching MMA fights or something. His dad was cooking.”
Robert Stevenson died roughly two weeks later. He was 54 years old.
To that point, Dews had only connected with his star back twice in person and once over the phone. Even though they were on opposite sides of the country then, with Dews in New England and Stevenson in Las Vegas with family, another call wouldn’t do in the aftermath of such loss.
After a member of the Patriots’ public relations staff informed both coaches of what had happened, Dews and head coach Mike Vrabel met to discuss how they could support their starting running back. Dews suggested flying out to visit him. Comments Vrabel made this week suggested he told Dews at that moment to wait a little while.
Waiting ultimately allowed Dews to attend the repast, a post-funeral gathering among family and friends. First, he cleared a visit with Stevenson. Then, he cleared his calendar.
Dews estimated he spent 48 hours total in the area, time that has rippled throughout this season; a magic ride powered partly by some of the best football of Stevenson’s career.
“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 said. “(Dews) coming out there and showing face in front of my family, that could be discouraging, not really knowing the guy whose funeral you’re going to, so I respect him for that. And I appreciate him for that. He’s always been there for me to make sure I’m good mentally.”
At the repast, Stevenson introduced Dews to his mother, Juran, and other family members. They broke bread. Stevenson spent hours with his new coach, who texted him before flying home.
“I didn’t expect him to come spend that time with me because of the situation,” Dews said.
But the gesture struck Stevenson, and still does to this day.
“It just showed me how intentional they were (caring) not just about football, but making sure I’m good mentally and as a person,” he said.
Grief still kept Stevenson away from the Patriots’ initial meetings and practices under Vrabel last spring. No one was quite sure when he would return, but Dews maintains he never thought Stevenson would leave the team for good. Soon after he returned, the 27-year-old back opened up as part of the Patriots’ new “4 H’s” tradition, where players and coaches share about their hometowns, heroes, heartbreaks and hopes in a team meeting.
Back then, Stevenson didn’t divulge many details about the loss of his father, whom he called his best friend. But as the season progressed, he began to reference his dad in conversations with Dews.
“We’ll be talking about something football-related, and he’ll say, ‘Oh, that’s the same thing my dad said,’” Dews said. “But it’s just sometimes because I think he’s somewhat of a private person.”
Midseason, Stevenson began to open up about his loss in interviews and revealed he wears a bracelet that carries some of his father’s ashes inside. He also used the caption “RIP Pops” every time he’s posted to Instagram after games this season. Dews maintained contact with his star back off the field, sending texts at Thanksgiving and Christmas when he knew the pain of his father’s absence would be magnified.
Robert was a central figure in his son’s life, and the family’s joy around the holidays.
“When I was out there, it sounded like their house was the one everyone wanted to be at,” Dews said. “His dad was like the favorite uncle.”
That bond helped buoy Stevenson through hard days, which peaked with the return of a fumbling problem that dogged him last year. Fans and media members called for his job. But Vrabel stood by him. So did Dews. Stevenson knew they were true to their word.
Since then, he hasn’t fumbled once and has instead started running like no other back in football.
“I’m proud of him,” Vrabel said. “I can’t imagine how that felt and what that still feels like. We’re lucky to have people like Tony Dews who care deeply about not only his position but everybody on this football team, coaches and staff.”
Over the last six games, all Patriots wins, Stevenson has broken 24 tackles and averaged 5.7 yards per carry. He also leads the league in Next Gen Stats’ rush yards over expectation, a metric that measures how often a running back is gaining more or fewer yards than expected based on his surroundings down to down.
“Just knowing the people you work with have your back, that gives you so much confidence. And I think that’s what it did for me on the field and off the field,” Stevenson said. “Just carrying myself a certain way and just (always) showing up to work.”
Stevenson played his best game in the Pats’ regular-season finale, a 38-10 thrashing of Miami. He piled up 131 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries. His mother was in the stands that night. His father would have been, too.
If the Patriots win the Super Bowl this Sunday, his father will be close. In spirit and down the road.
Because the late Robert Stevenson was many things: a proud husband, father, Patriots fan, good cook and Bay Area native.
