University of Colorado football fans will never forget the late Keith Jackson’s (ABC) call of the “Miracle in Michigan,” on September 24, 1994:
“Stewart with time. Let’s it go… he’s got three people down there. The ball’s up in the air… Caught! Caught by Westbrook for a touchdown! Incredible!”
Kordell Stewart, the quarterback who launched that pass as time expired to beat Michigan, 27-26, in “The Big House,” is the latest Buffalo selected for induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
A three-year starter (1992-94), the dual-threat QB led CU to an all-time best 27-5-1 record (16-2-1 in conference games) and two bowl victories, including a 41-24 thrashing of Notre Dame in the ’95 Fiesta Bowl in his final game, when he was named the game’s MVP as CU finished with an 11-1 record and No. 3 national ranking.
“It’s awesome and really gratifying that the work I’ve put in will be recognized,” Stewart said. “Joining my coach, Bill McCartney, and teammate, Rashaan Salaam, in the Hall is important to me.”
(McCartney was inducted in 2013, Salaam in 2018).
“While it’s an individual accolade, I have to thank my coaches at CU — Coach Mac, who sealed the deal when he visited my home. Bob Simmons, Gary Barnett, Les Steckel, Rick Neuheisel, who was my position coach my senior year and who drew up ‘Rocket-Left-Hail Mary,’ the play that won the Michigan game. And of course, all of my teammates.
“And I don’t want to forget the fans who were there through thick and thin who supported myself and my teammates, especially those who made the trip to Michigan.”
He recalled nearing the end of the recruiting process, he visited four schools — in order — Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado. He had no clear favorite at that point. But as with many recruits, when coming into Boulder over the scenic overlook — even though he did so at night — left an impression he’ll never forget.
“The rest was history. It was arguably the finest moment of my young adult life — traveling, experiencing and learning new things in identifying this place — Boulder — being the most beautiful in the world. Now, it’s the ultimate honor to be forever a part of the fiber of the state, and most importantly, by representing the university where all the magic was created.”
As a senior, he earned second-team All-America and first-team All-Big Eight honors, when he set the league’s all-time record in total offense with 7,770 yards.
Selected by Pittsburgh in the second round of the ’95 NFL Draft, Stewart would go on to play 11 seasons in the league — eight with the Steelers, two with Baltimore and one with Chicago. He soon became known as “Slash” for his prowess of running, throwing and catching the football: in his NFL career, he threw for 14,746 yards and 77 touchdowns, 2,874 yards rushing with 38 TD’s and caught 41 passes for 658 and five scores.
He was involved in long TD plays that included a 90-yard pass, an 80-yard run and a 71-yard reception, unheard of then and to this day. In 2001, he went to the Pro Bowl, was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Year and the Pro Football Writers’ Most Improved Player.
By David Plati, University of Colorado: Historian/SID-Emeritus
