The New England Patriots paid honor to former Super Bowl winner Matt Stevens after he died March 20 at the age of 51. The Patriots put out a statement Thursday saying they were "deeply saddened" by Stevens' death.

Former New England Patriots safety Matt Stevens, who won a Super Bowl with the franchise in 2002, has died, his family announced. He was 51.

He was selected by the Bills in the third round of the 1996 draft as a safety, playing eight years in the league and winning a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2001.