Stephen Boyd (American football)

Stephen Gerard Boyd (born August 22, 1972) is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League. He was a two time Pro Bowl selection at middle linebacker for the Detroit Lions. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL Draft out of Boston College, the 141st selection, where he started for four seasons.

Early years
Boyd played his high school football for Valley Stream Central High School (Valley Stream, NY) for Coach Dan Tronolone, where he led the Eagles to the 1989 Nassau County Conference II Championship. In 1994 he was elected the ECAC Player of the Year. As a senior at Boston College, he was invited to play in the 1994 East-West Shrine Game and the 1994 Hula Bowl.

1995-1997
As a rookie in the NFL, he backed up legendary All-Pro middle linebacker Chris Spielman. When Spielman left the Lions for the Buffalo Bills in 1996, Boyd became the starter and an integral part of the defense for the next six seasons. In 1997, Boyd paced the Lions with 192 tackles leading Detroit to the NFC Wild Card game for the second time in three seasons. He was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week (8/31) in the season opener when he scored his first career touchdown on a 42 yard fumble recovery, and set up the game winning TD with his first career interception. He also led the team with 15 tackles that game.

1998
In 1998, Boyd led the Lions with 156 tackles, despite missing the last three games of the season with a shoulder injury. He was named the NFC Player of the Month for November when he compiled 56 tackles and two sacks in four games. He was named the first alternate at middle linebacker on the NFC's Pro Bowl squad, and would have played in the game if he had not been recovering from a shoulder injury.

1999
In 1999, Boyd led the team in tackles for the third straight season with 188. He was also named to the All-Madden team for the first time in his career. In a Wild Card loss to the Washington Redskins Boyd recorded 18 tackles and returned his first post-season interception for five yards. He was also named to his first Pro Bowl as a starter for the NFC as middle linebacker.

2000
In 2000, Boyd led the Lions for the fourth consecutive year with 166 tackles. He recorded 10 double-digit tackle outings in the 15 games that he played. He was named to his second consecutive Associated Press Pro Bowl, and was also named All-Pro Second Team and All-NFC for second straight season by Football News.

2001
Boyd retired in May 2002 after playing in only 4 games in the 2001 season due to chronic back pain.

Post-playing career
He currently resides in Long Beach, New York and is the head coach of Chaminade High School football in Mineola, New York.