Former New England Patriots standout Stephen Starring died Sunday, according to a press release by his alma mater, McNeese State University. He was 64.
Starring made his name as a wide receiver and kick returner for the Patriots and helped the team reach Super Bowl XX in 1986.
More news:Former Notre Dame, NFL Star Dies Suddenly at 62
Starring, a Louisiana native, was a third-round draft pick by New England out of McNeese State in 1983. He played in 15 games for the Pats as a rookie, starting three. He caught 17 passes for 389 yards and two touchdowns.
Midway through the 1984 season, the Patriots fired head coach Ron Meyer and replaced him with Raymond Berry. In the course of the transition, Starring would find his niche as a kick returner as the Patriots ascended the American Football Conference ranks.
In 1985, Starring ranked second in the NFL in kick returns, with 48 for 1,012 yards. After going 11-5 in the regular season, the Patriots ran roughshod through the AFC in the playoffs. They defeated the New York Jets, Los Angeles Raiders, and Miami Dolphins en route to a date with the NFC champion Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl in January 1986.
More news:Former Notre Dame, NFL Star Dies Suddenly at 62
The Bears’ 46-10 drubbing of the Patriots meant that Starring got plenty of action on special teams. He returned seven kicks - still one shy of the all-time Super Bowl record - for 153 yards in the game.
Starring spent two more seasons in New England. In 1986, he again finished in the Top 10 in the NFL in kick returns and kick return yards.
More news:Former Jets, Colts Quarterback Dies
Starring concluded his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions in 1988. He retired with 84 games played over six seasons (1983-88), totaling 120 receptions for 2,029 yards and 11 touchdowns, and 2,389 kick return yards.
In college, Starring was a dual-threat quarterback/receiver. He completed his career with 3,083 passing yards and 1,906 rushing yards. He was named the offensive MVP of the 1980 Independence Bowl between McNeese and Southern Mississippi.
In addition to his football career, Starring excelled in track and field at McNeese State, winning three conference championships - two in the high hurdles and one in the long jump - and earned All-American honors.
For more NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published October 20, 2025 at 7:09 PM.