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Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has more to play for as a father: 'I want to leave a legacy that he can be proud of'play icon
Chicago Bears

Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has more to play for as a father: 'I want to leave a legacy that he can be proud of'

Chris Emma
By Chris EmmaSep 25, 2025
Chris Emma
A native of Geneva, Chris Emma is the lead Bears writer for 670TheScore.com and covers the rest of the Chicago sports scene as well. He previously…
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LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — A little more than an hour before Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson ripped the football away from Cowboys running back Javonte Williams on a tone-setting play last Sunday, he stood in the northwest corner of Soldier Field with a smile on his face.

Stevenson looked into the eyes of his five-month-old son, Tyrique Jr., who was down on Soldier Field for the first time before a game. Since his son was born, Stevenson has found a new perspective in football. The daily challenges an NFL player faces are quickly forgotten upon returning home as a father.

"It brings unlimited joy and happiness that you cannot explain," Stevenson said. "Like, having a hard day at work or anything going on, just seeing him, it just makes it all worth it."

On Sunday, Stevenson had a strong performance in the Bears' 31-14 win over the Cowboys. He created the first of four Cowboys turnovers on the day, halting a promising opening drive for Dallas and setting the tone for a bounce-back effort by Chicago's defense.

The Bears allowed 52 points in their ugly loss to the Lions on Sept. 14. A week later, they dictated the game defensively against the Cowboys. It was also a bounce-back effort for Stevenson, who struggled in Detroit, where he was targeted four times, allowing four receptions for 98 yards, a touchdown and a perfect 158.3 passer rating.

Stevenson was targeted 10 times by the Cowboys, allowing just three receptions for 15 yards. With Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson set to miss most or all of the season due to a groin injury, Stevenson is now the Bears' top cornerback.

That means Stevenson must be on his game each week. That's a familiar challenge for him.

"It's about consistency with him," Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said. "And so that's kind of what our challenge is each and every day to him, to be a consistent worker, consistent physically, mentally. Because he's got the talent to be able to do it. It's really about consistency, and I saw improvement in that area."

The 25-year-old Stevenson was a second-round pick of the Bears in 2023. As a rookie, he had four interceptions as a starter opposite of Johnson and established himself as a mainstay on the defense.

But Stevenson endured a difficult 2024 campaign. The lowlight came when Stevenson had a mental lapse and wasn't in proper position to defend the Commanders' game-winning Hail Mary touchdown pass at the buzzer because he had been taunting fans right before the ball was snapped. Two weeks later at Soldier Field, Stevenson was booed by the home fans when his name was announced.

Despite those struggles, the Bears maintained their belief in Stevenson. New head coach Ben Johnson and his coaching staff elected to develop Stevenson rather than cast him off.

"There are times when he looks like a Pro Bowl-type player," Johnson said. "And there's other times where he'll let his guard down just a little bit.

"He took a step in the right direction."

This is a new chapter in Stevenson's young NFL career. His third professional season is far different — and not just because of the Bears' high expectations.

Stevenson feels the desire to be great. It's because he's playing for more than just himself. Every play is an opportunity to better life for his family – and to make Tyrique Jr. proud.

"It's been like that since he was born, honestly," Stevenson said. "I would say I have my own goals and everything that I wanted to leave with the game when I was done. But now that he's here, I want to step it up. I want to add the extra. I want it to be when he grows up, 'You're Tyrique's son.' I want to leave a legacy that he can be proud of and can benefit him in the end.

"It makes me want to work harder and achieve the goals that I sought out. Once I achieve those goals, I want to achieve more goals. It's just like a revolving door for me, just having him there, all these goals are going around in my head that I want to achieve. And I'm going to achieve them just because he's here."

Emma's prediction (1-2): Bears 24, Raiders 21
Like the Bears, I'm 1-2. I can't quite figure this team out. I'll side with my belief that Caleb Williams is taking off and predict the Bears earn a win in Las Vegas.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.

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