Kordell Stewart facts for kids

Kordell Stewart (born October 16, 1972) is a former American football quarterback. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. Most of his career was with the Pittsburgh Steelers. People called him "Slash" because he could play many positions.

Stewart played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes. He became famous for a play called the "Miracle at Michigan". This was a Hail Mary pass that helped his team beat the Michigan Wolverines. The Steelers picked him in the second round of the 1995 NFL draft.

Stewart had different jobs for the Steelers before becoming their main quarterback in 1997. He helped the team reach the AFC Championship Game. His best year was 2001. He led Pittsburgh to be the top team in their conference and return to the championship game. He also earned Pro Bowl honors and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Year. After 2002, Stewart left the Steelers. He then played one season for the Chicago Bears and two seasons as a backup for the Baltimore Ravens. He is one of the top quarterbacks in NFL history for rushing touchdowns, with 38.

Early Life and High School Years

Kordell Stewart was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He went to John Ehret High School in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.

College Football Career

In 1991, Kordell Stewart received a scholarship to the University of Colorado. He played under coach Bill McCartney. Stewart became one of the best quarterbacks in the school's history. He set several records for the Buffaloes. These records included most passes completed, most passing yards, and most touchdown passes.

Stewart led the Buffaloes to top-10 finishes in national polls in 1992 and 1994. They also won the 1993 Aloha Bowl and the 1995 Fiesta Bowl. In his senior year (1994), he was chosen as a second-team All-American. His team, ranked No. 3 nationally, finished with an 11–1 record.

One of his most memorable moments was on September 24, 1994. Stewart threw a 64-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to Michael Westbrook. This amazing play happened in the final seconds. It helped the Buffaloes beat the Michigan Wolverines. This play is known as the "Miracle at Michigan".

Professional Football Journey

Starting with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Early Years (1995–1996)

When Kordell Stewart first joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, he played in a few different roles. He ran the ball and caught passes. In his first year, he even threw a touchdown pass on his very first attempt against the Cleveland Browns.

In the 1996 playoffs, he helped the Steelers reach Super Bowl XXX. He ran the ball and caught passes, including a touchdown catch in the AFC Championship game. Even though the Steelers lost the Super Bowl to the Dallas Cowboys, Stewart was the only rookie quarterback to play in that big game.

In 1996, Stewart continued to play in many roles. He rushed for an 80-yard touchdown against Carolina, which was a record for a quarterback at the time. He showed he could do a lot on the field.

Becoming the Starting Quarterback (1997)

In 1997, Stewart was named the main starting quarterback for the Steelers. He led the team to a great 11–5 record. He was the first quarterback in history to throw for 20 touchdowns and run for 10 touchdowns in a single season. The Steelers made it to the AFC Championship Game, but they lost to the Denver Broncos.

Challenges and Changes (1998–2000)

After 1997, the Steelers faced some changes. Their offensive coach left, and key players moved to other teams. This made it harder for Stewart and the team to win. They missed the playoffs in 1998 and 1999.

In 2000, another quarterback, Kent Graham, started the season. But when Graham got hurt, Stewart stepped back in as the starter. He helped the team finish with a winning record, but they just missed the playoffs.

Best Season and Departure (2001–2002)

The 2001 season was Kordell Stewart's best. He led the Steelers to a fantastic 13–3 record. They were the top team in the AFC playoffs. Stewart threw for over 3,000 yards and completed 60 percent of his passes. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl and named the Steelers' Most Valuable Player.

The Steelers easily beat the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs. However, they lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl that year.

In 2002, Stewart started as quarterback again. But after a few games, he was replaced by backup Tommy Maddox. Stewart was released by the Steelers at the end of the season.

Time with Other Teams

Chicago Bears (2003)

After leaving Pittsburgh, Stewart signed with the Chicago Bears in 2003. He started as their quarterback but was later replaced by other players. He was released by the Bears after one season.

Baltimore Ravens (2004–2005)

In 2004, Stewart joined the Baltimore Ravens as a backup quarterback. He even had a surprising moment when he filled in as an emergency punter and did very well! He was named NFL Special Teams Player of the Week for his punting. He played for the Ravens for two seasons.

The "Slash" Nickname

Pittsburgh Steelers announcer Myron Cope gave Kordell Stewart his famous nickname "Slash". Cope chose this name because Stewart could play many different positions. He was a quarterback "slash" receiver "slash" rusher. This showed how versatile Stewart was on the field.

In a December 1996 game against the Carolina Panthers, Stewart made an 80-yard touchdown run. This was a record for the longest touchdown run by a quarterback at that time.

Life After the NFL

After his football career, Kordell Stewart made guest appearances on TV shows like Deal or No Deal and Pros vs. Joes.

He also became a football analyst for ESPN. He appeared on shows like College Football Live, NFL Live, and Mike and Mike in the Morning. Stewart officially retired from the NFL in 2012.

Personal Life and Achievements

Kordell Stewart has a son named Syre. He was married to Porsha Williams from 2011 to 2013. Their wedding was even shown on the TV show Platinum Weddings. Stewart also appeared with Williams on The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Stewart enjoys playing golf. He was the cover athlete for the 1997 video game NFL Blitz. On March 23, 1998, he appeared on the first-ever cover of ESPN The Magazine alongside other famous athletes like Kobe Bryant and Alex Rodriguez.

Stewart later wrote an essay for The Players' Tribune. In it, he shared his experiences and the challenges he faced as a quarterback, including racism.