Joe Gilliam

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Joe Gilliam (1950-2000) was an American football player. [] at NFL.com

Career

Joseph Gilliam, Jr. (born December 29, 1950 in Nashville, Tennessee) was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1972 in the 11th round after a college football career at the Tennessee State University in which he was a two-time All-American. He became the starting Quarterback in 1974 but lost the job when young rookie Terry Bradshaw was chosen to lead the team in the playoffs, fueling speculation years later that Gilliam was removed because he was black. Bradshaw himself admits that Gilliam was more tallented and deserving of the job that year than he was. Gilliam spiraled into a trap of severe alcoholism and substance abuse and was out of the National Football League at the end of 1975 and back on the streets in Nashville, Tennessee, where he battled his cocaine addiction on and off over the years.

In 1983, Gilliam attempted a comeback to pro football in the United States Football League with the Washington Federals. He did not have much success and retired from the sport for good after that season.

For the rest of his life, he battled his cocaine addiction but did manage to run a football camp in Nashville at times. He was often homeless and on the streets in search of his next high. He was often called "Jefferson Street Joe" due to the time he spent in that area his entire life.

Gilliam died of a heart attack on December 25, 2000. He had been sober for four years prior to his death and was able to attend the last Steelers game at Three Rivers Stadium.

Trivia

On the field, Gilliam was known to smile and raise his hands in the air in a rare showing of enthusiasm for most quarterbacks after a good play.

His Daughter Is R&B Singer Joi, and his son-in-law is rapper Big Gipp of the Goodie Mob.

External links

[Joe at African American Registry]

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