Princeton Club of Chicago

A native of Jamestown, New York, Stephen Carlson was a standout multi-sport athlete at Jamestown High School, where his achievements earned him the honor of having his football jersey retired. 

Arriving at Princeton in 2015, he saw limited action in his first two seasons, recording just two catches. However, in his junior year, he emerged as a dominant wide receiver, finishing his career with 125 receptions and 16 touchdowns—third all-time in program history. His physicality as a lead blocker was instrumental in Princeton’s perfect 10-0 Ivy League Championship season in 2018 and foreshadowed his transition to tight end at the NFL level.

Undrafted in 2019, Stephen signed with the Cleveland Browns, where he quickly made an impact, earning a spot on the Active Roster and catching his first career touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in November of the same season. His relentless effort helped the Browns end a 17-year playoff drought, the longest in the league at the time. Unfortunately, a season-ending knee injury sidelined him in 2021, followed by a full year of free agency. In 2023, he signed with the Chicago Bears, appearing in two games before re-signing for the 2024 season. He was promoted to the Active Roster in Week 4, but in another tough break, suffered a collarbone injury that ended his season. Up for free-agency, Stephen has high hopes he will sign back to the Bears, but nothing is guaranteed at the professional level.

Proud of his perseverance and work ethic, Stephen strives to embody resilience and determination both on and off the field. He is grateful for his time at Princeton—and the people who shaped his journey.