For my final post with the UB Law Sports & Entertainment Forum, I chose to profile a childhood friend who has become an inspiration to every small-town Western New York kid chasing a big dream. Stephen Carlson, an Ivy League-educated NFL tight end from Jamestown, graciously took the time out of his busy schedule to sit down with me for an interview. Our conversation was a special moment for me personally. Steve and I grew up playing youth sports together and both graduated from Jamestown High School in 2015. We reminisced on matchups between my Westside Panthers and his Northside Warriors, talked about our mutual friends, and caught each other up on what life has been like for us over these past few years. As talented as Steve is on the gridiron, everyone back home idolizes his strong moral character, unwavering work ethic, and lighthearted nature.
Carlson excelled as a Red Raider and went on to thrive as a Princeton Tiger. At JHS, Carlson was a two-time first-team all-state and all-league honoree. He was a Post Journal Player of the Year, a Connolly Cup recipient as the Most Outstanding Player in WNY, earned All-ECIC Division 1 first-team honors, was the 2014 Section VI Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and helped lead Jamestown to a 2013 sectional title and 2014 state championship. Steve also dominated on the basketball court. Carlson was part of an impressive run of three straight sectional titles and one appearance in the state championship game.
Steve didn’t miss a beat at Princeton. In 2015, Carlson developed his skills and strength on the Tigers’ junior varsity roster. After making varsity in 2016, he made his first collegiate catch in a season-opening win over Lafayette. His other catch during Princeton’s 2016 Ivy League championship campaign was an eight-yard reception in a victory against the co-champion, Penn. In 2017, Carlson attained second-team All-Ivy League honors at the wide receiver position after ranking fourth in both receptions (71) and receiving yards (935). Steve reeled in 11 touchdowns that year, which would have been a Princeton record if teammate Jesper Horsted didn’t end the season with 14. During Carlson’s senior year in 2018, the 6’4” wideout recorded 51 catches for 683 yards and five touchdowns. Princeton had its first undefeated season since 1964 on its way to an Ivy League championship. Steve earned second-team All-Ivy League honors once again and ended his career ranked third all-time in Tigers touchdown catches (16), eighth in receiving yards (1,632), and tenth in receptions (125). Carlson was a huge factor in making the 2018 Princeton Tigers the highest-scoring offense in Ivy League history, as well as the second-highest-scoring offense and the third-best total offense in the nation.
After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft, Carlson signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent tight end. He was waived during final roster cuts, but subsequently re-signed to the Browns’ practice squad. On November 1 of 2019, the Browns signed Carlson to their active roster. The first catch of his career occurred two weeks later. Naturally, it was an eight-yard touchdown on third-and-goal against the Steelers, his favorite team growing up. Carlson carved out his role on the Browns’ active roster by standing out on special teams. Just a few weeks after his first score on offense, Carlson made an unbelievable play to down a punt at the Steelers’ one-yard-line. In 2020, Steve appeared in all 16 games. While he started twice, most of Carlson’s appearances that season were on special teams. He was a key contributor who tallied nine tackles and could be relied upon to recover onside kicks and down punts deep inside enemy territory. In an October game against Dallas, Carlson even scored a two-point conversion after running down a blocked field goal that the Cowboys had fumbled back toward their own end zone.
The former undrafted free agent’s relentless effort and selfless contributions to the team resulted in the Browns giving Carlson an exclusive-rights free agent tender in March of 2021. He signed the one-year contract in April, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury during a preseason game that August. The Browns placed Steve on injured reserve until they ultimately released him in March of 2022.
In June of 2022, Carlson accomplished a full recovery from his torn ACL, and he was cleared to make a return. Steve remained a free agent for almost a full year until May 6 of 2023, when the Chicago Bears signed him to a one-year deal after a rookie minicamp workout. Carlson enters the 2023 season having appeared in 25 games, hauling in six total catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.
The following interview has been edited for clarity. Parts of the conversation have been paraphrased in order to make the article more concise.
Latona: “The average career of an NFL player lasts approximately three years. However, players must remain on an active roster for at least three seasons to receive certain retirement benefits. Additionally, as the Demar Hamlin situation highlighted, teams can include contract language that cuts a player’s salary if they are placed on injured reserve. What is considered a season for benefits purposes? When is someone eligible for a pension or health insurance? How important is it for players to meet this threshold?”
Carlson: “The three-year mark is definitely something that every player aspires to get to. You hear people saying ‘I just want to get my three years.’ They say that the NFL stands for ‘Not For Long,’ so a lot of guys are in and out of the league. Some players are even technically in the NFL for three years without ever reaching three credited seasons.
To get a credited season, you have to be active for at least three games or be on the injured reserve. The practice squad doesn’t count. After your third year, the pension plan is a big one that kicks in. It starts at around $2,500 per month once you turn either 55 or 65 years old. That base amount increases the longer your career lasts in the NFL.
Aside from your first season, you also get a 401K match every year. They have something called the Capital Accumulation Plan that begins when you’re 30 where the club is investing for you. Additionally, you get an annuity after your third year.
As for a health insurance plan, I believe the league will cover expenses for five years after your retirement as long as you achieve two credited seasons. Once the season begins after training camp, players on the active roster, practice squad, and injured reserve all have health insurance. That goes for rookies, too, as long as you make the team.
It’s kind of funny how once a player makes it past that third year, they want to get a fourth and then a fifth. This isn’t just because of the extra benefits. A ton more money comes in with every year that you can stack. It’s smart to know your benefits and put your money into smart places while you’re playing.”
L: “Have you already reached three credited years?”
C: “Yeah, I have three years. If I get this one, it would be my fourth. However, it’s been five years since I entered the league because I was a free agent all last year. This year I have a split contract, but I didn’t when I was hurt. I think every rookie deal has one. A split contract pays a player a lesser base salary if the player lands on injured reserve. Since I was an undrafted free agent who played in more than six games in my first two years, I avoided a split contract the year I got hurt and received my full salary. This year, I’m on the veteran minimum with a split. I have about a $900,000 base salary that goes to $500,000 if I go on injured reserve. Right now, we get a stipend of about $1,000 a week through camp, but no contract money. You have to play in games to get contract money. If I played in one game, I’d get 1/17th of my contract. I didn’t get a signing bonus or guaranteed money.”
L: “Talk me through the ACL injury you suffered against the Jaguars in the 2021 preseason. How did you feel at that moment? What was going through your mind? Describe your road to recovery as well as the challenges and setbacks you endured.”
C: “When I first got hit, I was like ‘Oh, my knee hurts a little bit,’ but it felt no different than any other pain after a hard collision. I came off the field and didn’t really say much. If it was a regular season game, I probably would have run out for the punt team on fourth down and gotten hurt worse. I’m kind of glad it happened in a preseason game. It’s not like anyone has security, but I felt like I didn’t have to risk as much since it wasn’t the regular season. I called for a sub, the trainers came over, and they did an ACL test. The doctor must have had a good poker face because he didn’t say much. However, when I talked to him later, it seemed like he knew right away.
It sucked because I was only supposed to play the first quarter of that game. That was probably the only drive I was going to play. I really felt like that was a year when everything was coming together for me at the tight end position. I played wide receiver in college, had a different coaching staff during my first year, was still mastering new techniques, learned a new offense, and only started a few games at that point. I felt like I had to prove myself again to the new staff, but I was comfortable with the details of the offense.
It was a pretty major setback. I stayed overnight in Jacksonville and had a brace and crutches, but didn’t really think too much of it. I thought I’d be back in a month. I got an MRI on Sunday, so when I came in for some treatment Monday, the trainer told me I tore my ACL and MCL.
I got surgery two weeks later and started rehab immediately. I’d never had a major injury before. My knee was twice the size of a normal knee. The most pain I’ve ever experienced was during rehab. They locked my knee straight in a brace for multiple weeks so that my MCL could heal. They needed me to get to full flexion, so my heel could touch my butt. When they cranked my knee, I’d be audibly screaming in the training room. Luckily, everyone else was out at practice. It kept me up at night knowing that I’d have to go through that again the next day. I love the trainers in Cleveland and have a lot to thank them for.
The Browns let me go to free agency in March when I was about three-quarters of the way through my rehab. I had to go to a new place with new trainers and kind of start from scratch and get comfortable with everything again. I assumed I’d be coming back because they wanted me rehabbing around the team. Although, this was when the Browns were working through the Deshaun Watson contract situation. I wasn’t sure if their cap situation would allow them to re-sign me. I didn’t say goodbye to anyone because I thought I’d be back soon. I even left my clothes there.”
L: “Aside from the Bears, what other teams were in the mix once you were fully cleared to return? Were teams hesitant to offer you a deal due to the nature of your injury? Did you ever work out for the Bills?”
C: “I worked out for the Bills a week or two after I was cleared to return. They said I had a great workout but told me they weren’t going to sign me. I was very excited going into that one. Some guys have like hour-long workouts but every one I’ve done only lasts for 10 or 15 minutes. They’re doing conditioning while I normally do a few blocking drills and run five to eight routes. I also went to work out with the Giants four days after I was cleared. They didn’t expect me to look as good as I did but expressed that they wanted to give my knee more time to heal. Then I went to the Commanders and they didn’t even let me work out with them because they said my knee wasn’t healed enough for their liking. They didn’t technically fail me on my physical, but teams were on notice that something might be up since my time there was published as a visit instead of a workout. Some other teams didn’t feel comfortable with my knee at that time either. Continuing to work with no clear finish line in sight was tough. I just stuck with what I’ve always done and it paid off.”
L: “Shane Costa is a friend and alumnus of the University at Buffalo Sports Law program. Mr. Costa was a featured speaker for one of our Sports Law Roundtables this semester and discussed his journey to becoming a sports agent. What kind of qualities and skillsets did you look for when choosing an agent? What ultimately led to your decision to go with Shane?”
C: “I wasn’t a crazy sought-after guy coming out of college. I had the size to play in the NFL, but I really only talked to a handful of agents. Shane didn’t necessarily stand out from anyone else initially, but he was the only one that came to Princeton to see me. Other agents just called me. Shane’s also from our area and was the only one that specifically told me to get up to 240 pounds to be a tight end. He told me I’d need to play tight end if I wanted to be in the NFL. You want an agent who has experience with guys like you. At best, I was going to be a late-round draft pick or an undrafted free agent. Shane has had success with similar types of players. Someone in my position probably wouldn’t want to go with a big agency that’s focused on a top draft pick. Their return on investment in you is nothing compared to that top player. Shane made an effort and put his time, energy, and focus into me. I knew he was legit, liked me, and had represented Fred Jackson and other guys I was familiar with throughout the league.”
L: “Does the pre-draft process differ for a player projected to be a late-round selection or an undrafted free agent? Did you have options besides the Browns? If so, why Cleveland?”
C: “A big difference is that most projected draft picks get invited to the combine. Nobody from Princeton got invited that year. If you don’t get invited to the combine, you can increase your chances of landing somewhere with a good pro day. The Ivy League season is short, only 10 games, so we’re done by Thanksgiving. That was an advantage for us because we could start training for our pro day in December. FBS and FCS schools are usually still in-season at that point. Some teams are playing bowl games into late December or January. I put on 20 pounds between November and April and was able to have a decent pro day as a tight end prospect. I also got exposure when scouts and offensive coordinators came to see my buddies John Lovett and Jesper Horsted. Shane told me it was possible that I could get picked in the late rounds, but he hoped I’d be able to sign somewhere as a priority undrafted free agent or be invited to rookie minicamps. The Browns never came to a workout, but they called me a day or two before the draft. On the final day of the draft, Shane heard from Cleveland that they would sign me if they didn’t draft a tight end in the last two rounds. Before the draft even ended, they called and offered to sign me. I was just happy to get something. I wasn’t anticipating choosing between teams. I was hoping one team would give me a chance.”
L: “Walk us through the emotions of your first career touchdown reception, an eight-yard pass from Baker Mayfield against your favorite team growing up. I also want to note it was a heavily contested catch over the former two-time All-American and seventh-overall pick Mark Barron.”
C: “On the drive before I scored, we were in the red zone and had run the same play. Baker and the coaches wanted to run it again because they liked the route and matchup. Baker told me on the sideline that he would be looking for me if we ran that play again. I definitely wasn’t the first option on offense, but I had proved myself in practice over the first eight weeks of the season and had made some crazy one-handed catches in the end zone. A lot of those plays all happened in one day, so that weekend, they brought me up. Maybe Baker had it in the back of his mind that I can make difficult catches on 50-50 or garbage balls. Thankfully, I caught it. If I would have dropped it or if the defender would have made a decent play, none of that happens and maybe I don’t get another opportunity. After you make that type of play, everyone on the sideline is fired up and you build a little more trust with the quarterback. Scoring in the NFL brings more respect from your teammates as well because not a lot of people who play ever do it. The outpour of support was an incredible feeling.”
L: “During your time with the Browns, you shared a locker room with incredible pass catchers including Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Austin Hooper. What were you able to learn and take with you to a less experienced team in the Bears?”
C: “There’s so much that you can take away from older guys who have been through it before. You learn how to be a professional. For example, you see what routines you need to do on a day-to-day basis, how to recover properly, and health habits to take care of your body. The best way to learn as a rookie is just to observe guys who have been successful for a long time. The coach-player relationship is so different in the NFL compared to college. As long as you’re doing the right thing, NFL coaches tend to leave you be and don’t focus too much on little things like proper technique. For receivers particularly, you need to watch tape and know how to get open. The good and great pass catchers have a knack for getting open. I learned not to be so robotic in my movements. Of course you should listen to your coaches, but everything is different when you get out on the field and line up against the defense.”
L: “You were a multi-sport athlete growing up. Do you feel like the movements and skills that you learned playing other sports translate to route running?”
C: “Probably. I’ve seen coaches who teach crossovers as a release at the line of scrimmage. I think that definitely goes into it. For instance, a quick jab in basketball is very similar to a release. Your vision and feel of what’s going on around you is also something you learn through playing sports in general. I just want to show guys how hard I work and hopefully gain the respect of my teammates by doing all of the little things. I like knowing the small details and going the extra mile. Maybe some of what I’ve learned will someday rub off and help a younger player. I really lean hard into doing stuff the right way. ”
Carlson Stiff Arms Steelers Cornerback Steven Nelson — Image from Akron Beacon Journal
L: “How excited are you to be on such a young, talented roster where you’ll work with guys like Justin Fields, D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, Robert Tonyan, Chase Claypool, and Cole Kmet?”
C: “There’s a lot of talent here. Watching clips of Justin Fields is crazy. His athleticism and the plays he can make are insane. It’s ridiculous. He can make big plays out of nothing. Everyone is expecting him to make a jump this year. He’s a good leader who works hard.
As for the tight end room, I think Cole Kmet is a really good player. He’s one of the few, true number-one tight ends who can do it all. It has been fun hanging around Rob. He’s got some experience and he’s a cool, funny dude who works really hard. I’m excited about the room we have. There are two younger guys too who were here last year. I’m still learning from everybody. It’s a nice young roster with a lot of potential. There’s a lot of work to do still.”
L: “There are currently a few very notable Jamestown natives in the NFL. I believe we are the first city to ever have a commissioner, head coach, player, and scout active at the same time. Have you had the chance to meet Roger Goodell, Nick Sirianni, and David Hinson? If so, what is your relationship with them? Is there a shared sense of pride that we occupy a spot on every level of the league?”
C: “I haven’t met Roger, and I might’ve talked to David but should probably reach out again. Nick Sirianni was an offensive coordinator with the Colts when I entered the league. He called me right after the draft and invited me to their rookie minicamp. I told him that I had signed with the Browns, but he had a lot of good stuff to say and offered me congratulations. It seemed like he had my back and liked me as a player enough to at least give me a courtesy invite.
We had a joint practice with the Colts during my rookie year. It was two back-to-back camp practices in Indianapolis, so I talked with Nick throughout the weekend. His family was there and we all took pictures together. He knew a lot about me and had a lot of respect for me. It was awesome. There was no need for him to do any of that, but the common connection made him want to. That’s what I want to do if I ever have the chance to pay it forward.
He’s a great example of what can be done coming from Jamestown. The generosity he’s shown is amazing to see. David’s been around for a while too, so I’m sure he’s brought a lot with him from back home. I could probably say the same about Goodell.
I think you’re on to something. We have to be the one town to ever do it. I doubt there’s ever been an active head coach, commissioner, and player at the same time. It’s great to see success in our area of New York. Some people think of Jamestown as a small town, but a lot of people are doing great things out there.”
L: “What are a few of your favorite football memories?”
C: “Winning a state championship our senior year of high school, winning an Ivy League championship with Princeton my senior year, and just sharing a locker room with the guys I’ve played with. The NFL player experience can be surreal. Sometimes you catch yourself saying ‘dang, that’s Justin Fields,’ especially when you meet a guy for the first time.”
L: “Do you have any outside business interests you’re working on?”
C: “My friend started a hangover cure supplement, an after-alcohol supplement, which I’ve done a lot of marketing for. I’m more of a consultant. I like the product. My buddy is in medical school and has learned a good bit about recovery and alcohol’s effects on the body. He’s been working on that for a few years now. I was brought on about a year ago to help get the name out there. The company is called Vida Splash.”
L: “What causes are you most passionate about? Are you involved in any initiatives back home?”
C: “I like to be as involved as I can, but I haven’t been as proactive as I want to be. Whenever people ask me for something, I’m more than happy to help. I’ve been a consultant for the new YMCA project that they want to put on Harrison Street in Jamestown. Right now, they’re waiting for the state to approve some budgeting stuff. I’ve been trying to advocate for the need for exercise and physical activity as both a child and an adult. I’ve spoken to the city council and some local philanthropists a few times. I think a new YMCA would be pretty sweet. The plans they have for it are exciting.
Recently, I’ve been involved in a new program called The Zone at Northwest Savings Bank Ice Arena. Former Syracuse quarterback John Kinder is the program director of a 6,200-square-foot play environment that uses advanced interactive technology to teach kids about sports and nutrition. I want to show younger generations the benefits of sports and exercise and how that can translate into establishing values that will take you far as an adult.
Coach Tom Langworthy and Coach Ben Drake taught me how to be a man. I didn’t really think about it until almost the very end of college, but high school sports is where I learned who I am. It’s important to instill good values in high school, college, or even younger kids. Sports can be a pathway to your passions while simultaneously teaching you how to be a good person, employee, boss, or parent. I will probably lean into all of these things more when I’m done playing football.”
L: “Coach Langworthy was recently interviewed ahead of Sirianni’s Super Bowl appearance with the Eagles. Langworthy and Sirianni are lifelong friends who grew up together in the same neighborhood and chose a similar path. One quote stood out to me as he discussed how you, Sirianni, and others have inspired our entire community. He said, ‘Everything that you could ever want to achieve can happen right here in Chautauqua County, and that’s the lesson that I think is inspiring to students and athletes.’ What message do you have for people back home? Specifically, what would you say to a small-town kid with a big dream who walks the same halls, shoots basketballs at the same hoops, and catches passes on the same fields as you did?”
C: “I’m happy that I was able to help pave a path that not many people from our area have traveled. I’d like to show that this is possible. My message is to learn from everybody around you in Jamestown. Lean into the great support system and community that our city has. Take what you learn with you when you move on to the next steps in your life. I learned from everybody around us growing up. Primarily, from my wonderful parents, coaches, teachers, and community members. I took those values instilled in me and now feel that I can make the right decision in any scenario. Try your best to always do the right thing and trust in yourself. It’ll all end up working out for you.
We probably learned as much from each other and our friend groups as we did from our teachers and coaches. I think who you surround yourself with is a big part of who you turn out to be. I think we were definitely lucky in that we had such a good group of classmates. We were hanging out and learning from each other every day even if that’s not what we were thinking about at that moment. We were just having a good time then, but it’s more meaningful now looking back on it. It feels like since we went through those times in our lives together, we share common thoughts, ideas, and values.”
Photo Credit:
Stephen Carlson — https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2023/5/8/23715327/bears-sign-tight-end-stephen-carlson-three-others-rookie-minicamp-free-agency-veteran-tryout-nfl
Carlson Stiff Arms Steven Nelson — https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/pro/browns/2019/12/06/browns-tight-end-stephen-carlson/2138160007/
Sources for Article:
https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/48363112/nick-siriannis-accomplishments-inspire-his-hometown
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Carlson
https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/football/roster/stephen-carlson/15021
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CarlSt00.htm
https://www.nfl.com/players/stephen-carlson/
https://www.post-journal.com/sports/local-sports/2023/05/carlson-signs-1-year-deal-with-bears/
3L JD/MBA at the University at Buffalo School of Law; BSELS Treasurer
Interested in a career at the intersection of law and business, particularly in sports.
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