Stevens made his debut as a 17-year-old on 15 September 1979, in the First Division as Brighton won 2–0 at home to Ipswich Town, the club which had released him as a schoolboy.

[5][6] A versatile defender who could also play in midfield, he made 26 appearances in his first season, scoring once, and remained a regular in the side.

[7] Losing to Manchester United 2–1 with three minutes of normal time remaining, Stevens equalised, and teammate Gordon Smith missed an easy chance to win the game at the end of extra time, remembered for the commentator's line "And Smith must score..."[8][9] Brighton lost the replay 4–0, and Stevens joined Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of "about £350,000".

At the time of the challenge, Gary Stevens was contesting possession of the ball with John Fashanu near the touchline when Jones slid into him.

[18] Following retirement Stevens worked as a presenter for Sky Sports, and for Talksport radio in the UK, although he has since left the station.