Kordell Stewart is an American former professional football player who spent 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He is best known for his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and the team’s starting quarterback for seven seasons. He was also a member of the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens. Stewart is a two-time Super Bowl champion, having won Super Bowl XXX with the Steelers and Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens.
Early Life
Kordell Stewart was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 16, 1972. He was raised in Marrero, Louisiana, and attended John Ehret High School. At Ehret, Stewart was a four-sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball, baseball, and track & field. He was named the 1989 Louisiana High School Player of the Year after leading Ehret to the 1988 Class 5A state championship.
Stewart then attended the University of Colorado, where he was a two-sport athlete. He was a standout quarterback and also played baseball for the Buffaloes. He set several school records as a quarterback, and was a two-time All-Big Eight selection. He also led the Buffaloes to the 1990 Freedom Bowl and the 1991 Blockbuster Bowl.
College Career
Stewart left Colorado after his junior year and declared for the NFL Draft. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 60th overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft. He was the team’s starting quarterback for seven seasons, from 1995 to 2001. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1997 and 2001, and was the Steelers’ most productive passer in franchise history, with 8,788 passing yards and 61 touchdown passes.
Stewart also led the Steelers to the playoffs four times, and was the team’s starting quarterback in Super Bowl XXX, where the Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys. He also led the Steelers to the AFC Championship Game in 1997, where they lost to the Denver Broncos.
Professional Career
Stewart left the Steelers after the 2001 season and signed with the Chicago Bears. He served as the team’s starting quarterback for two seasons, but was released after the 2003 season. He then signed with the Baltimore Ravens, where he served as a backup quarterback and special teams player. He won his second Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.
Stewart retired from the NFL after the 2005 season. He finished his career with 11,743 passing yards and 64 touchdown passes. He also rushed for 2,874 yards and 33 touchdowns. He was inducted into the University of Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.
Kordell Stewart is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl champion. He was also a successful college athlete, where he was a two-time All-Big Eight selection and set several school records. Stewart is now retired from the NFL and is a member of the University of Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame.
