With seven NFL seasons now complete, M.J. Stewart is busy preparing for his next pro campaign with the Houston Texans this coming fall.
This will be the fourth football season with Houston for the 5-foot-11-inch, 205-pound safety, a 2014 graduate of Yorktown High School where Stewart was a standout runningback, defensive back and kick returner.
“It’s crazy. The time and year by year have slipped by so fast,” Stewart told ARLnow.
As a professional, Stewart has been a valuable member of special teams and the defensive secondary for three teams — Houston, the Cleveland Browns and initially the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Stewart, 29, was drafted out of the University of North Carolina by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. He is the lone player from Yorktown High School to have a prolonged professional football career.
Stewart said he is not surprised he has stuck in the NFL, citing his diligence, his mental strength, staying in shape, a willingness to play whatever positions he’s asked and not taking anything for granted.
“It all takes a lot and it’s a year-round thing of staying prepared, and I’m blessed to be here in the building,” Stewart said.
Entering the 2025-26 season, Stewart has played in 90 NFL games. He has 212 total tackles, nine for losses, with one sack and three quarterback hits.
As a pass defender, Stewart has two interceptions, has 13 pass deflections, four fumble recoveries and has forced three fumbles.
“It’s always fun to keep track of how M.J. is doing in the pros,” said former Yorktown head coach Bruce Hanson, who coached Stewart for three seasons at the school.
Stewart helped Yorktown win a district championship in 2012 then finish second in the Northern Region Division 5 playoffs that fall, losing to Stone Bridge in the championship.
Stewart played his freshman high-school football season at private school Bishop O’Connell in Arlington.
Stewart will be in Arlington for his free MSMJ Youth Foundation community event on Saturday, May 17 from noon to 4 p.m. held at High View Park in the Halls Hill neighborhood. The park is the site of the annual Halls Hill Thanksgiving Day “turkey bowl” neighborhood football game that has been played since the 1950s.
The foundation event will include a celebrity kickball game, including some of his NFL teammates, an autograph session and other activities for youth and adults.
“We just like to bring the community of Arlington together a little on that day so old friends can come back and have a chance to see each other,” Stewart told ARLnow.
Stewart also commented on the recent retirement of Hanson as Yorktown’s longtime football coach.
“He is like a superman when it comes to coaching,” he said. “I am happy for him. He had a legendary and great career as a coach.”
