Former NFL player Rich Stephens, best known for his time with the Raiders in the mid-’90s, has died at the age of 59, according to an obituary shared online.
Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 310 pounds, Stephens was a towering presence on the field. A native of St. Louis, he played college football at the University of Tulsa before being selected in the ninth round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. However, he never suited up for Cincinnati—instead, he made his NFL debut with the Raiders, who were then based in Los Angeles.
Stephens played two seasons with the Raiders, appearing in 29 games and starting two. He took the field in 16 games during the 1993 season, helping the team reach the playoffs with a 10-6 record. After sitting out 1994, he returned in 1995 for 13 more appearances in what would be his final NFL season. That year, the Raiders finished 8-8 and missed the postseason.
Before his NFL career, Stephens made a name for himself in the World League of American Football, playing two seasons with the Sacramento Surge. He helped lead the team to a World Bowl title in 1992—the only American team to ever win it—before the league was shut down and restructured. When the Surge transitioned into the CFL as the Sacramento Gold Miners, Stephens shifted to the NFL.
His obituary notes that Stephens was once ranked among the WLAF’s top 10 prospects, and within the Raiders organization, he was known for his uplifting personality and impact on team morale.
The Raiders issued a statement mourning his passing, writing, “The thoughts of the entire Raider Nation are with Rich’s family at this time.”
He is survived by his sisters, Stephanie Stephens and Deanna Griffey.
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i rememberd when he played