_(cropped).jpg) Means with theAtlanta Falcons in 2021 | |||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | (1990-09-16)September 16, 1990 (age 34) Buffalo, New York, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 263 lb (119 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Grover Cleveland (Buffalo, New York) | ||||||||||
| College: | Buffalo | ||||||||||
| Position: | Outside linebacker | ||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2013: 5th round, 147th pick | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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Steven Means (born September 16, 1990) is an American professionalfootballoutside linebacker. He was selected by theTampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the2013 NFL draft. He playedcollege football for theUniversity at Buffalo.
Means has also been a member of theBaltimore Ravens,Houston Texans,Philadelphia Eagles andAtlanta Falcons.
Means was born inBuffalo, New York. He attendedGrover Cleveland High School, where he participated on thebasketball,track and field,swimming and football teams.[1]Means' father, Steven Means Sr., played football atBuffalo State College. Means has two younger brothers, Brandon and Cameron.[2]
While attending theUniversity at Buffalo, Means was a member of theBuffalo Bulls football team from 2009 to 2012. In four seasons as adefensive end, Means accumulated 186 total tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, 19.5sacks, three forcedfumbles, twointerceptions and five blocked kicks. He majored in human development and family studies.[3]
On April 27, 2013, Steven Means was drafted by theTampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round (147th overall) in the2013 NFL draft.[4] Means signed his contract on May 13, 2013, and also got a $191,752 signing bonus on a four-year deal worth $2,351,752. Means appeared in ten games for the Buccaneers during his rookie campaign in2013. After appearing in the first game ofthe following season, Means waswaived on September 9.[5] In eleven games with the Buccaneers over two seasons, Means accumulated six tackles and no sacks.
TheBaltimore Ravens signed Means to theirpractice squad in October 2014. Means appeared in only one game in 2014 after an injury tooffensive tackleRick Wagner created a vacancy on the roster. On May 7, 2015, Means accepted a $510,000 exclusive-rights tender offer from the Ravens.[6] On September 2, 2015, after suffering asports hernia,[7] Means was released by the Ravens with an injury settlement.[8]
On October 20, 2015, theHouston Texans signed Means to their practice squad.[9]
On December 8, 2015, Means was signed by thePhiladelphia Eagles off the Texans' practice squad.[10]
In 2016, the Eagles chose to retain Means following a strongpreseason showing.[11] Means was active for the first three weeks of the season and recorded his first solo tackle since his rookie year.[12] Following a Week 4 bye, Means was placed on the inactive list.[13] In a Week 7 game against theMinnesota Vikings, Means, active again due to an injury toBennie Logan, recorded his first career sack, which also causedSam Bradford to fumble.[14][15]
On August 30, 2017, Means signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles.[16] Means wonSuper Bowl LII after the Eagles defeated theNew England Patriots 41-33.[17]
On September 1, 2018, Means was released by the Eagles.[18]
On September 10, 2018, Means signed with theAtlanta Falcons.[19] He played in eight games with four starts, recording 14 combined tackles and one sack.
On February 13, 2019, Means signed a one-year contract extension with the Falcons.[20] On May 22, 2019, Means suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in OTAs and was ruled out for the season.[21]
On March 9, 2020, Means signed a one-year contract extension with the Falcons.[22] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on August 29, 2020.[23] On September 8, 2020, Means was activated prior to the season opener against theSeattle Seahawks.[24] In Week 12 against theLas Vegas Raiders, Means recorded a strip sack onDerek Carr that was recovered by teammateLaRoy Reynolds during the 43–6 win.[25] In 2020 while with the Falcons, Means was the team's recipient of the 2020 Ed Block Courage Award. The award is given to select NFL players who are voted by their teammates as role models of inspiration, courage, and sportsmanship.[26]
On April 1, 2021, Means re-signed with the Falcons on a one-year contract.[27] In Week 9, Means recovered a fumble and returned it for 32 yards thanks to a James Vaughters strip sack on Trevor Siemian in a 27-25 win over the Saints. Means suffered a knee injury as he was tackled from behind by Saints receiverTre'Quan Smith. He was placed on injured reserve on November 14, 2021.[28] He was activated on December 4.
On June 17, 2022, Means signed with the Ravens.[29] He was released on August 30, 2022 and signed to the practice squad the next day.[30][31] On September 14, the Ravens signed Means to the active roster.[32] He suffered a tornAchilles tendon in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve on September 19, ending his season.[33]
Means grew up a fan of his hometownBuffalo Bills, but admitted to feeling slighted by the organization for passing on him in the draft. He has done charity work for his high school, albeit under the radar. Means is aChristian.[34]
