The Life of Stephen Streater

Stephen Streater is the Founder, Head of R&D and Director of Video Technology of Blackbird plc. Previously employed at Eidos plc as both MD and Director of Video Technology.

Streater was an all-conference punter and defensive back at North Carolina when his car skidded on wet pavement and crashed, breaking his neck and paralyzing him from the chest down.

Early Life and Education

In 1980, he led UNC to its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship since 1928. Earning all-conference honors at both safety and punter, he registered five interceptions (three in the season finale against Duke alone), a fumble recovery and two pass breakups; plus 45 yard punts with 4.5 hang time making him one of the greatest punters ever at UNC.

His professional dreams were quickly dashed when a car accident on his return from Washington – where he had signed as a free agent with the Redskins – left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Raelene, his wife of 25 years; daughters Lexi Whitehorn, Paige Wilen and Danielle Pearson; grandchildren Roman, Lucas, Parker Sawyer Streater Sydney Berlyn Whitehorn as well as Austin Gross Mark Bosch brothers as well as numerous nieces and nephews are left mourning his passing.

Professional Career

Streater wears an orange long-sleeve Browns T-shirt, brown sweatpants and a baseball cap when standing on one of their practice fields. He’s just 12 days into a scouting internship with them after an injury forced him to change his future early.

He was an All-ACC performer in two positions, creating havoc in the defensive backfield while serving as an effective pass rusher, tallying 67 tackles, eight sacks, five interceptions and being recognized as a finalist for the Butkus Award. Also excelled on special teams; returning punts and kickoffs respectively and returned punts/kickoffs during two seasons at strong safety/punt returner; known as an uncompromising and reliable player who made an immediate impactful impression as both strong safety starter and punt returner.

Achievement and Honors

Stephen Bernard Streater, known for founding Eidos plc and later Forbidden Technologies plc. He earned a BA degree from Trinity College Cambridge before embarking on his PhD studies on artificial pattern recognition at King’s College London before creating Eidos plc and later Forbidden Technologies plc.

Streater earned two All-ACC selections as both a safety and punter, leading the Tar Heels to their first ever championship victory in 1980. He later participated in both National Football League and Canadian Football League competition.

Streater was on his way to Raleigh-Durham Airport for Thanksgiving when he was hit by a car and paralyzed from the waist down in an accident. This weekend at Kenan Stadium during halftime of Maryland vs North Carolina game the University will honor Streater by honoring him during halftime of Maryland vs UNC match-up.

Personal Life

Streater touched many lives throughout his lifetime through his kindness and warmth. An extrovert at heart, he managed to make friends wherever he went despite his disability preventing verbal communication. Additionally, he was an enthusiastic supporter of local charities like Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity.

Stephen Streater is a British technology entrepreneur. He founded and serves as head of R&D at Blackbird plc, which develops software for video editing and publishing. Prior to this position he held positions at Eidos plc as managing director and video technology director; holds a PhD from King’s College London for artificial pattern recognition; enjoys classical chamber and orchestral music, Go, new technology as well as open source projects; frequently speaking at conferences.

Net Worth

Steven brings 25+ years of experience to Mission Wealth, an award-winning wealth management firm which provides comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory services for high net worth individuals and their families across the country. As its founding member, Steven provides expertise in financial planning strategies, markets, portfolio management, investment research and business valuation.

Streater was an all-conference performer on UNC’s 1980 team that won an Atlantic Coast Conference Championship, becoming the first player ever to earn all-conference honors at both punter and defensive back positions. Additionally, Streater had five pass interceptions during his Tar Heels career and five pass interception touchdowns for Washington Redskins tryouts near Asheboro; on his way home he suffered a car accident which resulted in him breaking his neck and becoming paralyzed from the chest down.