The Legacy of the Steelers “Jefferson Street” Joe Gilliam

Joe Gilliam’s legacy

Gilliam’s chance to lead the Steelers in 1974 was historic. Unfortunately, the city did not realize it, and for that matter, neither did Gilliam. Gilliam stayed on the Steelers as a backup through the 1975 season, and they subsequently cut him at the end season. In 1976 Hank Stram, coach of the Saints at that time offered to sign Gilliam. His stringent drug use prevented that. Gilliam had some ups and downs, tried to get clean, and failed.

In the ‘80s he tried to make a comeback in the start-up USFL in which he only played four games. By the mid-’90s, things had gotten so bad for Joe he resorted to panhandling to support his drug habit. Eventually, he remarried and went to treatment to finally get clean once and for all. It lasted all but three years. He died on December 26th, 2000, at 49 years old. Initial reports indicated a heart attack, and Gilliam did have coronary disease. Later reports stated it was an accidental cocaine overdose.

What happened to Joe Gilliam was tragic. Some will say he brought it on himself; others may say his situation was a product of the era in which he lived. Nonetheless, Joe Gilliam has a legacy. The Steelers won the Superbowl in 1974, and on that path, he led them to a 5-1-1 record.  Sure Bradshaw replaced him, but all he did was keep things running smoothly.

The Steelers had immense talent by the 1974 season Franco Harris, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Rocky Bleier, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Joe Greene, to name a few. One can make a case that in 1974, and Bradshaw has said it as well, Joe Gilliam could have just as easily led the Steelers to the Superbowl in 1974. How would it have changed Steelers’ history? That is hard to say. Nonetheless, despite the tragic ending to Gilliam’s career, he opened the door for all other African Americans who aspired to be a quarterback. Football fans need to remember Joe Gilliam has a great legacy in the NFL.