Kordell Stewart

Kordell Stewart (born October 16, 1972 in Marrero, Louisiana) is an American NFL quarterback, currently playing for the Baltimore Ravens. Stewart was educated at the University of Colorado, and drafted sixtieth in the 1995 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was as a Steeler that coach Bill Cowher gave Stewart the nickname "Slash", due to his abilities as a utility player willing to play other positions such as running back/wide receiver/punter.

Related Topics:
October 16 - 1972 - Marrero, Louisiana - American - NFL - Quarterback - Baltimore Ravens - University of Colorado - 1995 - NFL draft - Pittsburgh Steelers - Bill Cowher - Nickname - Running back - Wide receiver - Punter

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After playing him in many novelty and utility roles, the Steelers named Stewart their starting quarterback in 1997. In this role, he proved to be rather inconsistent; although a potent and mobile quarterback with many ways to score on the field, Stewart was prone to mistakes, often throwing interceptions at inopportune times. Nevertheless, he continued with the Steelers as their starting quarterback, and in 2001 Pittsburgh rode a dominant defense and strong running attack to a 13-3 regular-season record and the top seed in the AFC playoffs. The Steelers easily defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs. The eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots proved to be more of a challenge in the AFC Championship Game. As Stewart collapsed, throwing no touchdowns and three interceptions in 42 pass attempts, the favored Steelers lost 24-17.

Related Topics:
1997 - Interception - 2001 - AFC - Playoffs - Baltimore Ravens - Super Bowl - New England Patriots - AFC Championship Game - Touchdown

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After his widely publicized implosion, Stewart still began the 2002 season as the Steelers' starting quarterback, but after a disappointing start, he was replaced by increasingly popular backup Tommy Maddox. Maddox was fairly successful in a starting role, and, unsurprisingly, Stewart was released after the year to start with the Chicago Bears. After several poor performances in 2003, he was replaced by rookie Rex Grossman, and released again at the end of the season. Stewart was signed in 2004 by the Ravens, to play a backup role to Kyle Boller as a replacement for the injured Anthony Wright, and did not throw a pass (though he was unexpectedly successful as an emergency replacement for punter Dave Zastudil). He was released following the 2004 season, but due to an injury to starting Quarterback Kyle Boller during week 1 of the 2005 season, the Ravens have once again signed Stewart to be a backup to Anthony Wright.

Related Topics:
2002 - Tommy Maddox - Chicago Bears - 2003 - Rex Grossman - 2004 - Kyle Boller - Anthony Wright - Punter - Dave Zastudil

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Stewart also is well-remembered for a famous hail mary he made as a senior at Colorado in 1994 against Michigan. In the closing seconds of a game, Stewart bought time by scrambling from Wolverine defenders, then uncorked a magnificent 64-yard Hail Mary pass that was caught by Michael Westbrook for a touchdown with no time on the clock to defeat fourth-ranked Michigan 27-26. This is the second most famous Hail Mary play in college football history, second only to Doug Flutie's desperation hurl to Gerard Phelan, which lifted Boston College to victory over Bernie Kosar's Miami (FL) team in one of the greatest college football games of all time.

Related Topics:
Hail Mary pass - Michael Westbrook - Doug Flutie - Bernie Kosar

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