GB resident, retired NFLcoach Stephenson picks Colts Sunday
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Photo courtesy of Kay Stephenson A call to arms In 1983, all five starting quarterbacks for the 1968 Buffalo Bills gathered in the Bills' locker room before a home game against the Raiders. From right to left, Jack Kemp, George "Kay" Stephenson, Dan Durragh, Ed Rutkowski and Tom Flores. The picture was taken as Stephenson's Bills prepared to take on Flores' Raiders in their first meeting as coaches.

Being successful often goes hand in hand with being adaptable. Just ask a quarterback. As the quarterback settles under center to calculate the exact moment in which he wants to snap the ball, he's constantly surveying the situation. He takes into account the minor shifts of the linebacking crew only yards away.

As his wide receiver goes into motion to the opposite side of the ball, he notices the cornerback does not follow. Is it a blitz? As the situation changes, the competent quarterback must manage the game in a way to either minimize the damage or take advantage of the other team's miscalculation. The same lessons easily apply to life.

"My biggest obstacle was knowing that I should retire from football," said retired NFLcoach, and quarterback George "Kay" Stephenson.

"In many ways the game I actually loved was changing to an extent that it was becoming distasteful. Then, to enter back into another world outside football and become productive and provide security for my family was challenging."

Challenging perhaps, but not impossible. The former World League champion coach found a new life in the law enforcement software industry.

Stephenson, a current Gulf Breeze resident who also played quarterback at the University of Florida with Steve Spurrier, is now president of CTS America, a software development firm that provides computer support to emergency first responders.

"We have a very necessary and extremely honorable mission with our product," Stephenson said when asked about his new career, far from the sweat and grime of the old gridiron. "We feel that we save lives and reduce crime. We also contribute to the security of our country."

According to its website, CTS America serves close to 50 agencies throughout Florida, including Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The company's success is a reflection of Stephenson's commitment to excellence.

"I've never involved myself in anything that I didn't aspire to winning it all," said Stephenson, whose employees respectfully address as "Coach."

Gulf Breeze High School (GBHS) Football coach Chris Nemith described Stephenson as a "good, down-home gentleman."

"Coaches like Kay that coached in the NFLin the 70's and 80's laid the groundwork for guys like me," Nemith said in a phone interview. "He set a standard for me to uphold because I respect the game so much."

Nemith added that he enjoys a friendly relationship with Stephenson through which he gains valuable insight about players and strategy. Nemith said Stephenson willingly gives the high school coach balanced information and doesn't pressure him to mimic his mentor's methods.

"He's become a fan of Gulf Breeze football and that really means a lot," Nemith said.

Stephenson said he enjoys attending GBHS home games at Dolphin Stadium.

"I enjoy the program they have up there now," he said. "They've done a good job providing a quality program."

As the biggest game of the year approaches, Stephenson said he favors the Indianapolis Colts to win Super Bowl XLI.

Before the phrases homeland security or information technology were ever entered into public nomenclature, Stephenson was winning state accolades as a high school quarterback in early 1960's Pensacola. Stephenson won a scholarship to the University of Florida and worked his way into a starting position with the American Football League's Buffalo Bills in 1968.

Although his playing career was ended by a collarbone injury, Stephenson began a new career as an assistant coach. Stephenson earned a headcoaching job with the Buffalo Bills in 1983 - the same year as newly retired coach Bill Parcells. Stephenson coached the Bills for a little more than two years.

"I'm very proud of the draft choices we had," Stephenson said. "They helped build the core of a very solid team."

Stephenson was at the helm when the franchise drafted the prolific wide receiver Andre Reed and defensive end Bruce Smith, who currently holds the record for most sacks in the NFLwith 200. The Bills would go on to win four consecutive American Football Conference championships from 1990 to 1993.

However, Stephenson's influence on the NFLdoesn't end there.

During his time in the World League, Stephenson said his staff was responsible for moving Mike Jones from running back to linebacker. Jones would go on to play for the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV, where he famously stopped Tennessee Titans' receiver Kevin Dyson one yard short of a game winning touchdown in a play popularly dubbed "The Tackle."