No. 97 on the Braves Football team is known for his big size and for his even bigger heart. Junior Daniel Stephens has helped lead his team to many victories on and off the field. He has been ranked as Ohio Capital – Cardinal Top Player Performances of the week after he had 11 total tackles against Hilliard Darby, along with being No.1 in defense sacks in Cardinal Football. While the list could go on and on about Stephens’ accomplishments within football, he had to start his football career somewhere.
“My dad played football at Alabama A&M which inspired me to start,” Stephens said. “When I was five I started by playing flag football and once I started it created my love for the game,”
With a decade of football under his belt, Stephens has shown himself as a star player with three offers from University of Miami – Oxford, Ohio, University of Toledo and Eastern Michigan University. Along with his bright future, he has created a strong impact on his team and coaches.
“Daniel is an amazing young man. He is a dominating football player on the field. He physically beats opponents with his strength and quickness,” Braves football coach, Wade Bartholomew said. “However, Daniel is a better person, leader and teammate than a player. Daniel is extremely important to our program in so many ways and we are thankful for him.”
Stephens has not only impacted his coach, but he inspires and nearly scares his teammates every time he hits the field.
Daniel is the nicest and scariest person I’ve ever met. Getting ready to run a play looking up and seeing Daniel will send shivers down your spine, but what makes it worse is when you hear a little high pitched giggle when he tackles you,” teammate Andrew Wilber ‘26 said. “He’s a great leader on the football team and an even better person outside of football. I’ve never seen him angry and he brings a great energy to the team.”
In addition to being a great teammate, it is important to note Stephens is not just an athlete, he is a student athlete. And he is not just any student athlete; he is an AP, Honors and College course (CCP) student here. With a busy schedule, balance is critical for him.
“Being a student athlete means a lot of balance. You have aspirations in both sports and school, it’s a very delicate game,” Stephens said. “Along with that you’re a role model to your fellow athletes.”
Throughout high school and middle school Stephens has taken classes which scare most students, such as AP and CCP courses; however, through all of his classes he has maintained a balance of school, family and sports. Stephens shows what being a Brave means: balanced, resilient, having a positive attitude, strong values and empathy.
