The Colorado signal-caller responsible for the Miracle in Michigan will become the 65th CU player to be inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Stewart was a three-year starter for the Buffaloes, leading the team with a 27-5-1 record, 16-2-1 in Big Eight conference games, 9-5 against ranked opponents as well as victories in the 93' Aloha Bowl and 95' Fiesta Bowl. In the three years Stewart started in Boulder, they finished 13th, 16th, and 3rd in the nation, respectively.
"It's awesome and really gratifying that the work I've put in will be recognized," Stewart told CUBuffs.com. "Joining my coach, Bill McCartney, and teammate, Rashaan Salaam, in the Hall is important to me. (McCartney was inducted in 2013, Salaam in 2018). I know there are a lot of Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, etc., that have been selected for the Hall," he continued. "I feel that it is a testament to the respect that I get from my peers. I'm excited and the good thing about it is that my son (Syre) gets the chance to see his dad go into the state's Hall of Fame.
While it's an individual accolade, I have to thank my coaches at CU, first Coach Mac, who sealed the deal when he visited my home," Stewart said. "Bob Simmons was the first to visit me. Gary Barnett was my first offensive coordinator, then Les Steckel, who also visited me during recruiting. And finally, 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. I put in a lot of work to allow myself to be respected by all parties I came into contact with – coaches, teammates, opponents I played against, and now to those who had the voting power considering all the sports that Colorado has to offer – pro, college and all the outdoor sports – to be selected makes things to me complete."
Stewart amassed 6,481 yards, on 58% passing, 33 passing touchdowns, with only 19 interceptions. The dual-threat quarterback also added 1,289 yards rushing and 15 rushing touchdowns.
- A second team Associated Press All-American, tying the highest honor ever afforded a Colorado quarterback
- The Big Eight Conference’s all-time total offense leader with 7,770 yards
- Finished as CU’s career leader in both total offense and passing yards
- 27-5-1 record as a starter (83.3 winning percentage) is the best in history for any CU quarterback
- First-team All-Big Eight as a senior in 1994
- CU’s Zack Jordan Award as the Buffs’ most valuable player leading Colorado to an 11-1 record and No. 3 national ranking
- The MVP of the ‘95 Fiesta Bowl, as he rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown (on just seven carries) while throwing for 205 and a TD in CU’s 41-24 rout of Notre Dame.
- Finished 13th in the Heisman balloting in 1994
- First player in CU history to have three 2,000-yard passing seasons
- Key player in college football’s play of the century, when he heaved a 64-yard pass to Michael Westbrook that rallied CU to a 27-26 win as time expired at Michigan in 1994 (the game became known as “The Miracle in Michigan”)
- A second-round pick by Pittsburgh in the ’95 NFL Draft (61st overall)
- Played eight seasons with the Steelers (1995-2002) before moving on to Chicago in 2003 and Baltimore in 2004-05
- In 2016, he was inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame … In his post-football career, he has worked for ESPN and is now a sports personality in the Atlanta area.
Stewart’s legacy in Boulder is significant. He's one of a handful of names that come to mind when referencing the best years in program history. Especially from a team winning perspective. Possibly only second to the team that won a National Championship in 1990, one year prior to Stewart’s arrival in Boulder. One of the faces of the program’s storied history, Stewart should be recognized for everything he provided the program and its fans.
While the induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame is a huge honor and well-deserved, it should not be the last honor bestowed on this celebrated Buffalo. The University of Colorado has only six retired jerseys in program history. The last two were this year and met with resistance. Byron White (1935-1937), Joe Romig (1959-1961), Bobby Anderson (1967-1969), and the late Rashaan Salaam (1992-1994). Then more recently, Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, earlier this spring. Each of the six retired Buffaloes jersey were top 10 Heisman finalist, but that should not be the only criteria.
Travis Hunter won the Heisman trophy, and his jersey retirement should not be questioned. Shedeur Sanders’ jersey retirement was highly debated upon its announcement. If team accolades are the only criteria, there is a legitimate argument to make there. However, a jersey retirement is as much in recognition for individual accomplishment as it is team success.
When they retire a jersey is says the player’s name and number. It does not say “retired for service to team success”. For the reason Shedeur had his number retired, is the same reason others including Kordell Stewart should have their numbers retired. Or a similarly lofty acknowledgment. Shedeur is first in completion percentage, fifth in yards, first in touchdowns, first in yards per game, as well as over 100 school records.
Shedeur’s jersey retirement was contested in large part to the lack of team success he had when compared to guys like Kordell Stewart. However, it does beg the question, for a program that was dominant in the 1990s, why is the only acknowledgment given to the lone Heisman trophy winner of that era? Who never got to see his name being revealed because that honor came posthumously.
Kordell Stewart should have his jersey retired. It should have been done a long time ago. Arguments could also be made for Darian Hagan, Eric Bieniemy, and Alfred Williams just from that era alone.
The current regime leading the Colorado Buffaloes are busy trying to figure out a way to turn around a season that has not gone to plan. However, there could be legacy potential for something outside the wins and losses column for Sanders. Known as a great marketer and man who moves the needle any time he is involved, recognizing Colorado greats could be a coaching legacy of another kind for the man known as Prime.
Deion Sanders has already begun recognizing great Buffaloes. Whether it’s a small gesture, like referring to home field advantage as “we must protect Peggy’s house”. Peggy refers to Peggy Coppom, the longest running and most dedicated CU superfan in program history. The 100-year-old has been a devoted fan for about 80 years.
In August, Coach Prime recognized Bill Collins, the first black CU player to be named Team Captain. He has also inquired about Rashaan Salaam and why his retirement took as long as it did. Asking the question, “why do we wait to recognize our greats?”
How long Deion Sanders will remain the head coach in Boulder is anyone’s guess. Every coach wants to win games, conference titles and national championships. However, after the on-field exploits, ensuring the greats that came before his time in Boulder could be a legacy in addition to what his Buffaloes do on the field.
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