In the Huddle: Antonio Stevens

A conversion with fifth-year senior defensive back Antonio Stevens, who was carted off the field following a gruesome left knee injury suffered on a kickoff return against Nebraska in 2020.

Once the complete diagnosis was determined, Stevens heard about every letter in the alphabet.

ACL. LCL. MCL. His hamstring was also ripped. The native of Franklin, Tenn., who attended Battle Ground Academy, didn’t play again until 2022 after two surgeries and an exhausting rehabilitation process but is now in the starting lineup.

Nickname?

Tone. Everybody calls me Tone.

First football memory?

It was Pee Wee at halftime of a Titans team. We played a game, and I was the quarterback, running counters, so I took it all the way. The crowd went crazy.

At what point did you stop playing quarterback?

Middle school. In eighth grade, I was a running back and receiver, and on the defensive side, I played everything.

Miss playing quarterback?

Not at all.

Miss offense?

Scoring touchdowns, yeah, but I’ll do that on the defensive side soon.

Why did you come to Purdue?

I came to Purdue because, at the time, I fell in love with my position coach, Anthony Poindexter, and I really loved the atmosphere. There’s not a lot of distractions at Purdue, and being able to focus on the work on the football side and the student side and knowing I would get a great degree and have a chance to play big-time football.

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You suffered a horrible knee injury in 2020 against Nebraska. Is that something you still think about?

I’m definitely over it. If anything, it makes me work harder every day and not take anything for granted. Mentally and physically, I’m completely over it, but I still have that work ethic that I had trying to come back.

Did you contemplate if you wanted to play after your injury? Did that put a pause on whether you wanted to or not?

I wouldn’t necessarily say that. God placed a dream in my heart ever since I was a young kid, and when I got hurt, that dream, passion, and fire inside of me never really left. I always knew I wanted to get back to playing football. I never imagined it would take as long as it did. I never thought football wasn’t for me.

What do you remember about the play?

Not too much. I try not to think about it. It was what it was.

What have people told you about the play?

It was one of those things you don’t want to look twice at.

You injured nearly every ligament in your knee.

A lot of stuff. Freak accident. That’s what a lot of doctors told me.

How tough was rehab?

That was probably one of the toughest things I’ve gone through as a young man. It’s definitely something I want to hang my hat on because a lot of people probably would’ve folded and not been able to keep going because of how hard, how long, and how tough it was. It taught me a lot of great things, like work ethic, persistence, and grit. I’m thankful for that time period in my life.

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What did that episode teach you and what you’re capable of doing?

It taught me I could get through anything. It taught me I’m one of a kind. It taught me how to lean on God, and I don’t have to have all the answers. It taught me that God has a plan for us all, and you can come back from anything as long as you have the right attitude and the right effort.

After your rehab, what was the moment like when you played again?

My first time playing again was Penn State when we played them at home. I think I got in, and it was the third or fourth quarter. One of the starters needed a break, and I got in on the kickoff. It was one of the most exciting … after that game, it was just one play, but I went home and let it all out. I was just thankful and blessed. It was a gratifying and humbling moment and an amazing feeling. Just to finally get to this point after so long.

What does that mean when you say you let it all out?

All the emotions of putting your all into something and working hard, not just for months but for years. It was amazing.

Now you’re a starter.

God is good. I came behind a lot of great players – Sanoussi Kane, (Jalen) Graham, Corey Trice. So many great players that taught me a lot of amazing things. How to handle myself and how to get to where I wanted to go. I’m blessed to be around coach (Ryan Walters), coach (Grant O’Brien), coach (T.J. McCollum), and them believing in me and pouring into me. It’s just an amazing feeling to be a starter and go out on a Saturday and lay it on the line.

At what point in your life will you take a step back and reflect on everything you’ve had to go through to get back on the field?

I don’t know. I find myself taking time to thank God a lot. I can’t say there’s going to be one point where I’ll step back, but I’ll take a lot of time to be grateful for what I’ve been through and where I’m at now.

Saying all of that, one thing your teammates don’t know about you?

That’s a great question. What do people usually say? I don’t know. I’m pretty tight with all my guys.

Have you ever played a musical instrument?

I did. I played the flute in elementary school. I don’t know if that counts.

That counts. Did you keep it up?

Not at all.

What is your game day routine?

I don’t think I have anything special. Just to be in the moment and not think too far ahead. Get my body right, get my mind right and make sure I do everything I can in that moment to be prepared.

Favorite meal?

The only things I eat is chicken, rice and potatoes.

Seven days a week?

Yeah, I’m pretty consistent. I started making some burgers recently. That’s my favorite meal.

Just normal burgers? Any variations?

I’m pretty plain. Everybody knows I’m one of the pickiest eaters on the team. Just cheese and pickles. I might put some BBQ sauce on it or ketchup and mustard. Nothing crazy.

Favorite food your mom makes?

She makes some really good chili.

Superstitious?

If you’re walking with somebody, don’t split the pole and stuff like that. I do like to do the same thing on game day, practice days when it comes to which foot gets taped first, and silly stuff like that.

Do you need extra time to warm up because of your injury?  

I don’t have to. I pay a lot of attention and time to prepare my body to go out there because I know what it takes to play football at this level. I like to be prepared before I get on the field.

In 20 years, you’re doing what?

I don’t know. Making money, somehow, someway.

What are your interests beyond football?

I graduated with a media and mass communications degree. Going into broadcasting would be pretty dope, but definitely going into coaching. I love the game and I always want to be around it in some fashion and give back to the community in some way. I don’t know what that entails, but I’ll be somewhere in that field where I can give back.