John Stallworth

Last updated

John Stallworth
John Stallworth - 2019 01.jpg
Stallworth in 2019
No. 82
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1952-07-15) July 15, 1952 (age 72)
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:191 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school: Tuscaloosa
College: Alabama A&M (1970–1973)
NFL draft: 1974  / Round: 4 / Pick: 82
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:537
Receiving yards:8,723
Receiving Touchdowns:63
Player stats at PFR

Johnny Lee Stallworth (born July 15, 1952) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, and was the Steelers' fourth-round draft pick in 1974. Stallworth played in six AFC championships, and went to four Super Bowls, winning all four. His career statistics included 537 receptions for 8,723 yards and 63 touchdowns. Stallworth's reception total was a franchise record until being surpassed by Hines Ward in 2005. Stallworth played in three Pro Bowls and was the Steelers' two-time MVP. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Contents

College career

A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Stallworth was an All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference receiver for Alabama A&M in 1972 and 1973. Stallworth earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Alabama A&M University.

He was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2014. [1]

Professional career

Stallworth was selected 82nd overall in the fourth round of the 1974 NFL draft, a class of which he was one of four Pittsburgh Steelers picks who would eventually be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [2] Scouts from various NFL teams observed him run the 40-yard dash on a wet track at Alabama A&M University and were disappointed by the results. Steelers assistant personnel director Bill Nunn was the only person to stay an additional day and watched Stallworth run a better time on a dry track. Nunn also had obtained the only college game film of Stallworth that existed through his relationships with HBCU coaches, and it was alleged that he withheld it from other NFL teams. [3] After a rookie year as an understudy, Stallworth became a starter in his second season and held that job for the rest of his 165-game career. Stallworth battled a series of fibula, foot, ankle, knee and hamstring injuries that forced him to miss 44 regular-season games.

Super Bowls

In Super Bowl XIII, Stallworth caught a record-tying 75-yard touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw that was crucial in the 35–31 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He suffered leg cramps later and played sparingly in the second half, finishing with 3 receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns.

One year later at Super Bowl XIV with the Steelers trailing the Los Angeles Rams 19–17 early in the fourth quarter, Steelers' coach Chuck Noll called for "60-Prevent-Slot-Hook-And-Go," a play the Steelers failed in practice before the big game. With 12 minutes remaining, Bradshaw dropped back and threw it long to Stallworth, who caught it and beat Rod Perry to the end zone for a 73-yard touchdown that paved the way for the Steelers' 31–19 win and their fourth world championship. Sports Illustrated considered the catch notable enough to put Stallworth on the cover of a subsequent issue. Overall, Stallworth recorded three receptions for 121 yards in the game.

Stallworth holds the Super Bowl records for career average per catch (24.4 yards) and single-game average, 40.33 yards in Super Bowl XIV. He has 12 touchdown receptions and a string of 17 straight games with a reception in post-season play. [4] Stallworth also scored on touchdown receptions in eight straight playoff games at one point (1978–1983), an NFL record.

Other highlights

Stallworth led the AFC with a career-high 1,395 yards gained on 80 receptions in 1984, when he was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He helped the Steelers defeat eventual Super Bowl champion San Francisco for that team's only loss of the season, and led the Steelers in a playoff run that featured an upset win over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Playoffs at Denver's Mile High Stadium.

Stallworth was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2002.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGPReceiving
RecYardsAvgLngTD
1974 PIT 131626916.8561
1975 PIT 112042321.2594
1976 PIT 8911112.3252
1977 PIT 144478417.8497
1978 PIT 164179819.5709
1979 PIT 16701,18316.9658
1980 PIT 3919721.9501
1981 PIT 16631,09817.4555
1982 PIT 92744116.3747
1983 PIT 4810012.5200
1984 PIT 16801,39517.45111
1985 PIT 167593712.5415
1986 PIT 113443613.7401
1987 PIT 124152112.7452
Career [5] 1655378,72316.27463

Business career

In 1986, he founded Madison Research Corporation (MRC) alongside Samuel Hazelrig. MRC specializes in providing engineering and information technology services to government and commercial clients. Under Stallworth and Hazelrig's leadership, MRC grew to more than 650 employees and $69.5 million in revenues (FY03). MRC manages six regional offices: Huntsville, Alabama (headquarters); Warner Robins, Georgia; Orlando, Florida and Shalimar, Florida; Montgomery, Alabama; Houston, Texas; and Dayton, Ohio. In October 2006 the sale of MRC to Wireless Facilities Inc. was completed, and at that time it was announced that Stallworth would pursue other interests. [6]

Stallworth was announced as becoming part-owner of his former team on March 23, 2009, as part of the Rooney family restructuring ownership of the team. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl X</span> 1976 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl X was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1975 season. The Steelers defeated the Cowboys by the score of 21–17 to win their second consecutive Super Bowl. They were the third team to win back-to-back Super Bowls. It was also the first Super Bowl in which both participating teams had previously won a Super Bowl, as the Steelers were the defending champions and the Cowboys had won Super Bowl VI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XIII</span> 1979 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XIII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1978 season. The Steelers defeated the Cowboys by the score of 35–31. The game was played on January 21, 1979, at the Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, the fifth and last time that the Super Bowl was played in that stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franco Harris</span> American football player (1950–2022)

Franco Harris was an American professional football player who was a running back for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL draft. Harris spent his first 12 seasons with Pittsburgh, earning nine Pro Bowl selections, and was a member of the Seattle Seahawks in his last.

Troy Fitzgerald Brown is an American football coach and former player who is a skill development and kick and punt returners coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played as a wide receiver and return specialist for 15 seasons in the NFL, spending his entire career with the Patriots. Brown played college football at Marshall University and was selected by the Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL draft. During his New England tenure, he was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2001 and was a member of the franchise's first three Super Bowl-winning teams. In 2020, Brown rejoined the Patriots as an offensive assistant. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Brown also was inducted to the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynn Swann</span> American football player and politician (born 1952)

Lynn Curtis Swann is an American former professional football player, broadcaster, politician, and athletic director, best known for his association with the University of Southern California and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He served on the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition from 2002 to 2005. In 2006, he was the Republican nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Allen</span> American football player (born 1960)

Marcus LeMarr Allen is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons, primarily with the Los Angeles Raiders. Considered one of the greatest goal line and short-yard runners in NFL history, he was selected 10th overall by the Raiders in the 1982 NFL draft, following a successful college football career with the USC Trojans. He was a member of the Raiders for 11 seasons and spent his last five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

William Stanley Humphries is an American high school basketball coach and amateur golfer. He was previously a professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers. He played high school football at Southwood High School and college football at Northeast Louisiana. He was selected by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 1988 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Branch</span> American football player (1948–2019)

Clifford Branch Jr. was an American professional football wide receiver who played for the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders during his entire 14-year National Football League (NFL) career. He won three NFL championships with the Raiders in Super Bowl XI, XV, and XVIII. He was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL draft after playing college football for the Colorado Buffaloes. He was posthumously elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ozzie Newsome</span> American football player and executive (born 1956)

Ozzie Newsome Jr. is an American professional football executive and former player who is the executive vice president of player personnel of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Newsome was a tight end for the NFL's Cleveland Browns, and was general manager of the Ravens from 1996 to 2018. Newsome has been inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame (1994) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999).

David John Casper nicknamed "the Ghost", is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Oakland Raiders. Casper has been inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame (2012) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2002).

Tony Curtis Nathan is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Dolphins in the third round of the 1979 NFL draft with the 61st overall pick. Nathan played with Miami from 1979 to 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mel Blount</span> American football player (born 1948)

Melvin Cornell Blount is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons. A five-time Pro Bowler, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Jones (American football)</span> American football player and actor (born 1978)

Thomas Quinn Jones is an American actor and former professional football player. He played as a running back who played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers, earning consensus All-American honors in 1999. Jones was selected by the Arizona Cardinals seventh overall in the 2000 NFL draft, and played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in addition to the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Kansas City Chiefs. He retired among the top 25 leading rushers in NFL history, and a member of the 10,000 rushing yards club. In September 2019 he was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Lipps</span> American football player (born 1962)

Louis Adam Lipps Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL), spending eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one with the New Orleans Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Smith (wide receiver)</span> American football player (born 1970)

Roderick Duane Smith is an American former football wide receiver who played for 14 seasons with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Southern Lions and was signed by the Broncos as an undrafted free agent and played his entire career with the team. As of 2023's offseason, his 849 career receptions and 11,389 receiving yards ranked him 30th all-time for receptions and 34th for yards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Cunningham</span> American football player (1950–2021)

Samuel Lewis Cunningham Jr, nicknamed "Bam", was an American professional football player who was a fullback for 10 seasons with the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, where he earned first-team All-American honors and was the MVP of the 1973 Rose Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Preston Pearson</span> American football player (born 1945)

Preston James Pearson is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys. He played college basketball for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Humphrey</span> American football player (born 1966)

Bobby Gene Humphrey is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, twice earning All-American honors.

Kenneth Othell Burrough was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver for the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Southern Tigers and was named second-team All-American in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacoby Jones</span> American football player (1984–2024)

Jacoby Rashi'd Jones was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). Selected in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft by the Houston Texans, Jones also played with the Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers before playing with the Monterrey Steel of the National Arena League in 2017.

References

  1. ↑ "All Inductees". BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org. Archived from the original on February 2, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  2. ↑ John Stallworth (profile) – Black College Football Hall of Fame. Archived December 22, 2022, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Assembling the Class of 1974". Steelers.com. April 20, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  4. ↑ Rank, Adam (February 10, 2014). "NFL players from historically black colleges". National Football League . Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  5. ↑ "John Stallworth Stats". NFL site. NFL Player. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  6. ↑ Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. - WFI Announces Close On Acquisition of Madison Research Corporation and Secures a New Credit Facility of $85 Million Archived November 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AnCHXOoh_QSmDb4Q_AypqItDubYF?slug=ap-steelers-ownership&prov=ap&type=lgns%5B%5D https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news%3B_ylt%3DAnCHXOoh_QSmDb4Q_AypqItDubYF?slug=ap-steelers-ownership&prov=ap&type=lgns . Retrieved May 8, 2017.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[ dead link ]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.