Reggie Stephens was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and raised by a strong-willed, hardworking family whose values of perseverance, gratitude, and community shaped his life. In 1989, his family moved to Santa Cruz, California, where he attended Santa Cruz High School, became a three-sport all-county athlete, and was later inducted into the Santa Cruz High School Hall of Fame. During this time, he met two of the most influential figures in his life, Tony Hill and Pete Newell, Jr., who inspired him to strive for excellence both on and off the field.
After high school, Reggie excelled in football and basketball at Cabrillo College, earning All-League and All-State honors before receiving a football scholarship to Rutgers University in 1997. At Rutgers, he became a standout defensive back, earning First Team All-Big East honors and the prestigious Homer Hazel MVP Award. He capped off his college career by playing in the East-West Shrine Game before signing with the New York Giants, where he played from 1999 to 2003, including the 2000 playoffs and Super Bowl XXXV. He later continued his professional career in the Arena Football League with the Nashville Kats from 2005 to 2006.
Following his football career, Reggie pursued his passion for music, working with Grammy-winning artists and becoming a voting member of the Recording Academy. His creative journey has included international collaborations such as Black Man in Mexico, blending hip-hop with Son Jarocho alongside Los Cojolites, Greg Landau, and Benito Cortez. He has conducted multiple media tours in Mexico City, completing over 50 interviews across major TV, radio, and print outlets, building cultural connections through music.
In 2010, Reggie returned to Santa Cruz with a new mission—to give back to the community that raised him. He founded the Reggie Stephens Foundation (RSF) in 2018, dedicated to empowering youth through sports, arts, education, and culture. RSF has grown from serving 60 kids to over 300 annually, providing free training programs, scholarships, mental wellness support, and mentorship from high school through college graduation. RSF’s Sunday Sessions bring together student-athletes from across Santa Cruz County for speed, agility, and leadership training at no cost.
Reggie’s leadership extends beyond the field. He has:
- Earned a Master’s in Sports Management from Utah State University.
- Served on the Board of Advisors for the Golden State Storm, a Women’s National Football Conference team.
- Led the first-ever Girls Flag Football All-Star Game in Santa Cruz County, partnering with Starter to provide custom uniforms for the players.
- Launched the RSF HBCU Tour Program, partnering with Morgan State University to expose historically excluded students and students of color to the opportunities, culture, and academic excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
- Been inducted into the Scotts Valley High School Hall of Fame as a coach, an honor that began when Louie Walters gave him his first coaching opportunity.
Through RSF’s arts division, led by local artist Jason Williams (Art by Willz), youth gain exposure to visual arts, media, and music production. Internationally, Reggie works with Creative City, Kansas City UNESCO to bridge sports, arts, and culture.
As a coach, trainer, mentor, and community leader, Reggie embodies his foundation’s motto—“Seek. Believe. Achieve.” His mission is to equip the next generation with the skills, confidence, and vision to succeed in life, on the field, and in their communities.
