Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart is the subject of a new HBO documentary titled "Kordell Stewart/Slash & Burn," which revisits his NFL career and the unfounded rumor that shadowed his time in Pittsburgh.
Stewart, known as "Slash" for his versatility as a quarterback, receiver, running back and even punter, led the Steelers to two AFC Championship game appearances in 1997 and 2001. He told CBS Sports he wants his career to be remembered for his on-field achievements rather than the rumor that emerged during the 1998 season.
The rumor, started by a local police officer, alleged Stewart had been caught engaging in lewd activity with another male in a city park. It surfaced two days after a loss in which a fan directed a racial slur at Stewart and threw beer at him. Despite having no merit, the rumor persisted as the Steelers finished 7-9 that year.
Stewart was benched in 1999 and briefly returned to his "Slash" role. After the Steelers started 0-3 in 2000, he regained the starting job and guided Pittsburgh to a 9-4 finish, becoming the last quarterback that season to defeat the Baltimore Ravens and their dominant defense.
The 2001 season marked Stewart's peak. He piloted the Steelers to a 13-3 record, the franchise's best since 1978, set a single-season team record for completion percentage, earned a Pro Bowl selection, finished fourth in MVP voting and was named the Steelers' MVP. Pittsburgh dethroned the Ravens in the divisional round but fell at home to the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. The Patriots were later penalized for stealing opponents' signals, including Pittsburgh's.
Stewart's 1997 rookie campaign as a starter was historic. He became the first NFL player to throw 20 touchdowns and rush for 10 scores in the same season, and the first to throw three touchdowns and run for two scores in multiple games. That year the Steelers overcame deficits of 21-0 in Baltimore and 21-7 against Denver, won three overtime games, and featured a prolific offense with Jerome Bettis (1,665 rushing yards) and Yancey Thigpen (1,398 receiving yards).
A signature moment came in Week 16 against the defending AFC champion Patriots. Stewart led a drive that included a fourth-and-7 completion, a touchdown pass on third-and-goal and a successful two-point conversion to force overtime. In the extra period, he completed a 41-yard pass under pressure to set up the game-winning field goal in a 24-21 victory.
Stewart said that game remains the best moment of his professional career. He hopes Steelers fans remember such highlights and believes his contributions will eventually earn him a place in the Steelers Hall of Honor.
"Kordell Stewart/Slash & Burn" is now streaming on HBO Max.
