The Legacy of the Steelers “Jefferson Street” Joe Gilliam

In 2014 the NFL celebrated a historic milestone, yet neither the Steelers nor the NFL took time to recognize the significant event.

Why did it get glossed over? That’s a bit difficult to answer. More than likely, it’s because of how this quarterback’s career ended. He had a lot of promise, but his career ended after getting cut after he became addicted to drugs and alcohol. There was no happy ending despite his changing the NFL forever. However, he was a trailblazer that paved the way for the likes of NFL stars Warren Moon, Donovan McNabb, Randall Cunningham,  and Michal Vick, to name just a few.

In 1974 Joe Gilliam became the first African American quarterback to start for any team in the post-AFL-NFL merger. There had been a few African American quarterbacks before Joe Gilliam. There had been five in the pre-Superbowl era. Of them, only Fritz Pollard 1920-1926  and George Taliaferro, the first African American player drafted in the NFL, played longer than three years. However, none ever started.

In 1969 James Harris did start for the Buffalo Bills. However, his start came before the merger. So he only played in the AFL.

In 1974, Chuck Noll had decided not to name Terry Bradshaw as the starter for the Steelers. Bradshaw, Gilliam, and Terry Hanratty all competed for the coveted starting position in the 1974 pre-season. After outperforming Bradshaw and Hanratty, Joe Gilliam won the starting position. Certainly, a historic occasion, to say the least.  However, what happened after is a matter of some contention. Some say his actions led to Noll benching him; others say it was racially motivated. Or perhaps a combination of both. It depends on who you ask.

Why did it get glossed over? That’s a bit difficult to answer. More than likely, it’s because of how this quarterback’s career ended. He had a lot of promise, but his career ended after getting cut as he became addicted to drugs. There was no happy ending despite his changing the NFL forever. However, he was a trailblazer that paved the way for the likes of NFL stars Warren Moon, Donovan McNabb, Randall Cunningham,  and Michal Vick, to name just a few.

In 1974 Joe Gilliam became the first African American quarterback to start for any team in the post-AFL-NFL merger. There had been a few African American quarterbacks before Joe Gilliam. There had been five in the pre-Superbowl era. Of them, only Fritz Pollard 1920-1926  and George Taliaferro, the first African American player drafted in the NFL, played longer than three years. In 1969 James Harris did start for the Buffalo Bills. However, his start came before the merger. So he only played in the AFL.

In 1974, Chuck Noll had decided not to name Terry Bradshaw as the starter for the Steelers. Thus Bradshaw, Gilliam, and Terry Hanratty all competed for the coveted starting position in the 1974 pre-season. After outperforming Bradshaw and Hanratty, Joe Gilliam won the starting position. Certainly, a historic occasion, to say the least.  However, what happened after is a matter of some contention. Some say his actions led to Noll benching him; others say it was racially motivated. Or perhaps a combination of both. It depends on who you ask.