Joe Gilliam: The Forgotten Trailblazer Who Helped Pave the Way in the NFL
Joe Gilliam Jr., often referred to as “Jefferson Street Joe,” holds a remarkable, albeit bittersweet, place in the history of the National Football League. As one of the first Black quarterbacks to start an NFL game in the modern era, Gilliam’s short yet impactful career helped pave the way for future generations of African American quarterbacks. Though his time in the league was marred by challenges both on and off the field, Gilliam’s legacy endures as a symbol of both progress and the costs of playing at the intersection of talent, race, and opportunity.
Born on December 29, 1950, in Charleston, West Virginia, and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Gilliam was immersed in football from an early age. His father, Joe Gilliam Sr., was a longtime football coach and defensive coordinator at Tennessee State University. Under his father’s guidance, Joe developed not only a deep understanding of the game but also the resilience needed to survive in a racially charged environment that was often hostile to Black athletes, especially quarterbacks.
Gilliam attended Tennessee State, a historically Black college, where he became a standout quarterback. In college, he was known for his quick release, strong arm, and sharp football IQ. He led Tennessee State to multiple winning seasons and garnered All-American honors. Despite his success at the collegiate level, Gilliam was overlooked in the NFL Draft. In 1972, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the 11th round — a late-round pick that many saw as an afterthought. Yet for Gilliam, it was a foot in the door, and he was determined to make the most of the opportunity.
At the time, the NFL was still an unfriendly place for Black quarterbacks. The position was viewed not just as a physical role but as a mental one — a “thinking” position that was, wrongly, considered unsuitable for Black players due to racist stereotypes. Gilliam faced this prejudice head-on. He spent his first two years with the Steelers as a backup, learning under head coach Chuck Noll and quarterback Terry Bradshaw. But when the 1974 preseason came around, Gilliam stunned observers by outplaying both Bradshaw and Terry Hanratty. His performance earned him the starting job — making him the first African American quarterback to start a regular-season game for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gilliam’s moment in the spotlight was historic. During the 1974 season, he started the team’s first six games and led them to a 4-1-1 record. His early-season success electrified fans and gave Pittsburgh a glimpse of a new kind of quarterback — one who combined athleticism with a sharp passing game. He threw for over 200 yards in each of his first three games, including a 348-yard performance against the Denver Broncos. At one point, he led the league in passing.
However, Gilliam’s rise was quickly overshadowed by struggles on and off the field. As teams adjusted to his style of play, his numbers began to dip. He threw multiple interceptions and eventually lost his starting job to Bradshaw, who would go on to lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl titles and a Hall of Fame career. But Gilliam’s benching wasn’t just about performance. The pressure of being a Black starting quarterback in the 1970s NFL was immense. Gilliam received hate mail and threats, and faced double standards from the media and fans who were quick to criticize his mistakes.
Despite being demoted, Gilliam remained with the team and earned two Super Bowl rings as a backup — Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl X — becoming one of the earliest African American quarterbacks to be part of a championship roster. But he never started another NFL game after 1975. Off the field, Gilliam struggled with substance abuse, a battle that would eventually derail his career and personal life. By the late 1970s, he was out of the NFL entirely.
In the years following his departure from the league, Gilliam’s life took a tragic turn. He battled addiction, experienced homelessness, and drifted away from the public eye. Still, he never lost his love for football. In the late 1980s and 1990s, he began coaching youth and semi-pro teams, using his story to mentor young athletes and caution them about the pitfalls he had experienced. His efforts were deeply respected by those he worked with, many of whom saw him as a wise and humble teacher.
Gilliam’s contributions to the game remained largely unrecognized during his lifetime. His groundbreaking role in the Steelers’ organization and the league as a whole was often overshadowed by the dynastic success of Bradshaw and the Steel Curtain defense. Yet, without players like Joe Gilliam, the path for quarterbacks such as Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, Donovan McNabb, and Patrick Mahomes might have been more difficult, if not impossible.
Joe Gilliam died of a heart attack on December 25, 2000, just four days before his 50th birthday. He passed away quietly in Nashville, the city where his football journey began. Though his NFL career was brief, his impact was long-lasting. Today, Gilliam is remembered not just as a quarterback, but as a trailblazer who helped shatter racial barriers in professional football.
His story is a reminder of both the possibilities and the obstacles that come with being a pioneer. In honoring Joe Gilliam, we acknowledge the struggle for equity in sports and celebrate the courage of those who challenged the status quo — even when the rewards were fleeting. His legacy lives on in every Black quarterback who takes the field, playing a position that was once considered out of reach. Gilliam may not be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but his name belongs in the history books — and in the hearts of football fans who understand just how far the game has come.