The Legacy of the Steelers “Jefferson Street” Joe Gilliam

Reaction to Chuck Noll’s decision

Nevertheless, the next game was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The Steelers played the Raiders and got shut out 17-0 and had a 1-1-1 record. Fans at that point wanted Bradshaw back. Despite fan chants for Bradshaw, Gilliam started the next three games and then won all three. In the three remaining victories, his stats were not stellar by any stretch. Not that he had to be, numerous talented players surrounded Gilliam and the Steelers found ways to win games. Even when Bradshaw faltered when he returned to the lineup.

In week seven, Noll finally benched Gilliam in favor of Bradshaw. Although now the starter, Noll did not like Bradshaw’s consistency, and in the Cleveland game, Noll benched Bradshaw again for Terry Hanratty. However, Hanratty went 2-15 with three interceptions, and Noll promptly sent him back to the bench. Bradshaw then finished the season, and as everyone knows, the Steelers won their first of four Superbowls.

There has been speculation over the years as to why Noll ultimately benched Gilliam. Even Terry Bradshaw himself has maintained over the years he never won the starting job back. He even asked at one point over the first six weeks of the 1974 season if the Steelers would trade him. No, that never happened.

So if Bradshaw never earned the starting job back, It leads to a larger question, though.  Bradshaw, to some degree, is correct. Over Gilliam’s six games, he passed for 1237 yards averaging 206.16 yards per game, had four touchdowns and eight interceptions. Bradshaw, over his seven games, passed 1017 yards averaging 145.28 yards per game. He also had seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. So was it truly Gilliam’s performance, or were there other more troubling and tragic issues that led to Gilliam’s benching and eventual demise as a player in the NFL?