Stephen Neal

Stephen Neal is a two-sport standout, having excelled as a collegiate wrestler before undertaking a career in the National Football League that included a collection of Super Bowl rings.

Born in 1976 in San Diego, Neal first gained prominence as a collegiate freestyle wrestler at California State University-Bakersfield.

While at CSUB he won two NCAA Division I titles and the Dan Hodge Award, considered the Heisman Trophy of wrestling. He also won the U.S. Freestyle Championship, the Pan-American Games title and the World Championships. He broke school records for pins in a season (31) and a career (71), and the record for career wins with 156 – including a career-ending 88-match win streak. He completed his career undefeated in Pac-10 competition with a record of 34-0, best in conference history. His classwork earned accolades as well, as he was a three-time Academic All-American and a three-time Pac-10 Academic All-Conference first team.

Neal’s physical abilities caught the attention of the NFL’s New England Patriots. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2001 but subsequently released. The Philadelphia Eagles signed him to their practice squad, only to see the Patriots come calling again late that same year.

Back with New England, Neal joined the offensive line for the Patriots’ run of three Super Bowl titles in four years. Overcoming injury problems that sidelined him for the better part of two seasons, he returned to the line-up and from 2004 to 2006 started 44 games as part of a Patriots offensive line that for the first time in a decade allowed fewer than 30 sacks in three straight years.