Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart is revisiting his NFL career in a new HBO documentary titled "Kordell Stewart/Slash & Burn." Known as "Slash" for his versatile play as a quarterback, receiver, running back, and even punter, Stewart led Pittsburgh to two AFC Championship game appearances in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He wants his legacy defined by his on-field achievements rather than an unfounded rumor that dogged him for decades.
The rumor, allegedly started by a local police officer in 1998, claimed Stewart had been caught engaging in lewd activity with another man in a city park. It surfaced two days after a loss in which a fan directed a racial slur at him and threw beer. Though baseless, the rumor lingered over a 7-9 season that saw Stewart benched in 1999. He later returned to the starting role, guiding the Steelers to a 9-4 finish in 2000 and a franchise-best 13-3 record in 2001, earning a Pro Bowl selection and finishing fourth in MVP voting.
Stewart's 1997 debut season as a starter was historic: he became the first NFL player to throw 20 touchdowns and rush for 10 in the same season, and the first to throw three touchdowns and run for two in multiple games. That year, the Steelers overcame large deficits in several games, including a memorable overtime win against the defending AFC champion New England Patriots. Stewart called that game the best moment of his professional career.
Both of Stewart's best seasons ended in AFC Championship losses to eventual Super Bowl champions — John Elway's Denver Broncos in 1997 and Tom Brady's New England Patriots in 2001. Stewart acknowledges the pain but notes the quality of the opponents. He hopes Steelers fans remember the excitement of his play and believes his career merits induction into the Steelers Hall of Honor.
The documentary, which explores Stewart's career and the damaging rumor, is now streaming on HBO.
