Quarterback Joe Gilliam Died of Drug Overdose

Jan. 12, 2001 -- Joe Gilliam, one of the NFL's first starting black quarterbacks died of an accidental drug overdose, according to the Nashville medical examiner.

According to Dr. Bruce Levy, the former Tennessee State and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Gilliam died of an accidental overdose of cocaine on Dec. 25, 2000.

The Nashville native started for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974.

Battle With Drugs

He spent much of his post-NFL career battling drugaddiction and living on the streets. He even spent two years living under a bridge in a cardboard box. He said before his death thathe had been free of drugs for three years.

However, Gilliam said he was winning his battle and opened a football camp for teens at Tennessee State lastsummer, and counseled other drug addicts. At the height of his battle with cocaine, Gilliam was in such desperate straits that hepawned his two Super Bowl rings.

"Joe had some difficult times and everybody knows that," saidDan Rooney, president of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gilliam's team inthe mid-1970s. He said that a players reunion earlier this year,Gilliam "was really upbeat and in great health, probably in bettershape than anyone."

Gilliam's career was marked by a series of highs and lows,including a starting role for the Steelers in 1974, six years afterMarlin Briscoe of the Denver Broncos became pro football's firstblack starting quarterback.

Drug problems were partly to blame for Gilliam’s benching andthe end of his NFL career.

Gilliam talked about it during a reunion of former Steelersplayers for the final game at Three Rivers Stadium earlier thismonth, telling former teammates that his life was so tough at onepoint that he lived in a cardboard box under a bridge.

“I had it all and then it disappeared, and then my lifedisappeared and now, look, I’m back with my friends again,” hesaid.

Years of Sobriety

Gilliam said he was in his third year of sobriety, a turnaroundhis father, a longtime football coach, attributed to his son's wifeof four years and his son's passion for football.

Gilliam Sr. now has the Super Bowl rings, returned to himby fans and friends a few years ago. He was waiting to give them tohis son when he thought he was ready.

The family had no comment today when reached at theirNashville apartment.

Gilliam’s big chance with the Steelers came in his third year,1974, when several veteran players, including Terry Bradshaw, wenton strike. Gilliam kept the job when Bradshaw and the othersreturned, and he led the Steelers to a 4-1-1 record.

Hate Mail and Threats

But many Steelers fans were unhappy, and Gilliam said he and theteam began receiving hate mail and threats.

"I thought if you played well you got to play," Gilliam toldThe Tennessean in a 1999 interview. "I guess I didn't understandthe significance of being a black quarterback at the time."

Gilliam "was an excellent quarterback and could really throwthe ball," said Dick Hoak, a Steelers assistant coach for 30years. "But Joe had problems off the field, and that hurt."

Gilliam played little during the 1975 season, then was cut anddidn't play in the NFL again. He played minor league football inthe late 1970s and early ’80s.

This year, his football camp had nearly 80 teenagers, andGilliam was planning another. He was hoping to become a footballcoach at a high school or college, said Woody Widenhofer, a friendand former Steelers assistant.

Howard Gentry Jr., former broadcast announcer for TennesseeState, said that when he last saw Gilliam a few weeks ago, theformer quarterback told him he was working on a book and a possiblemovie about his life.

"Everything was just positive. He looked great," Gentry said."He seemed to be on top of the world."

Among Gilliam's survivors are his father, his wife, threedaughters and two stepsons.