M.J. Stewart

Marvin Stewart Jr. is a decorated American professional football player who has had a notable impact on the National Football League (NFL). He was born on September 16, 1995, and since then, he has demonstrated his resilience and dedication both on and off the field. As a safety for the Houston Texans, Stewart’s name has been a regular feature in NFL conversations and games.

He commenced his journey in football during his college years, playing at the North Carolina University. His successful tenure at the university saw him gaining the attention of major football leagues, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who selected him during the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. However, before making it to the professional leagues, his college football career was not without its fair share of challenges.

During his sophomore season, Stewart was temporarily suspended due to a supposed violation of team rules, alongside his teammate Mike Hughes. He was also caught up in legal issues when he was accused of misdemeanor assault and battery, although the charges were later dismissed. Thankfully, the dark times did not persist, as Stewart was reinstated in less than a week, thereby restoring his standing on the team.

Despite rumors that Stewart would choose to abandon his senior year and declare for the 2017 NFL draft, he squashed the speculation and made it clear that he would be returning to play for the 2017 season. His decision turned out to be a beneficial one since he was named to the First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference by Pro Football Focus after his senior season.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recognizing his immense potential, selected Stewart in the second round–53rd overall–of the 2018 NFL draft. He then proved his value even more on May 10, 2018, when he signed a four-year, $5.08 million contract with a $2.48 million guarantee, including a $1.77 million signing bonus.

As a Buccaneer, Stewart was pitted against Ryan Smith, Vernon Hargreaves, and Carlton Davis during the training, competing for a starting cornerback position. Even though he started as the fifth cornerback under Head Coach Dirk Koetter, he quickly moved up the ranks after Hargreaves suffered a shoulder injury. Stewart was then made a starting member in place of his injured teammate in the team’s season opener versus the New Orleans Saints.

He continued to establish a strong presence on the field. In a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, despite suffering a foot injury that led to his inactivity for a few games and losing his starting position to Ryan Smith, Stewart finished the season strong, with 33 combined tackles and 3 pass deflections.

Unfortunately, Stewart was waived by the Buccaneers on August 6, 2020. He did not have to wait too long before he was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns just two days later. As a Brown, Stewart marked his career with impressive successes, including his first career sack on Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and his first career interception off a pass by Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans.

Despite injuring his foot and being placed on injured reserve in October 2021, Stewart notably led his team with ten tackles and intercepted a pass during the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers after being reactivated in November. His next career move was a signing with the Houston Texans on March 24, 2022. This was further solidified by a two-year contract extension in 2023.

Stewart’s time with the Texans has been met with injuries, leading to another placement on injured reserve in November of the same year. Regardless, he managed to make it to the team’s 53-man roster by August 27, 2024. Marvin Stewart Jr.’s journey, filled with setbacks and victories, tells a story of a relentless footballer who refuses to back down, making him a notable figure in the NFL.