John Stephens was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round (17th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft. He played in six NFL seasons from 1988 to 1993 for the Patriots, the Green Bay Packers, and the Kansas City Chiefs. As a rookie for the Patriots during the 1988 NFL season, Stephens rushed for 1,168 yards and was selected to his one and only Pro Bowl. Stephens died in Keithville, Louisiana, on September 1, 2009 in a car accident.