As a part of Black History Month, we are highlighting those involved with the Steelers organization who attended HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).i
In today's spotlight, we are highlighting receiver John Stallworth, who attended Alabama A&M.
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John Stallworth
Wide Receiver (1974-87)
John Stallworth, the Steelers fourth-round selection in the historic Steelers 1974 NFL Draft class, was a prime example of the Steelers dedication to HBCUs in the 1970s.
Stallworth was discovered at Alabama A&M by legendary scout, and HBCU graduate, Bill Nunn during a scouting trip to the school in a story that has become legendary.
Nunn scouted Stallworth, along with other BLESTO scouts who at that time would travel together, on a wet track at Alabama A&M, and the wide receiver didn't time well in the 40-yard dash.
The group was leaving Alabama the next morning, but Nunn said he felt ill and was staying, and would catch up with them on the road. What he did, though, was go back and time Stallworth on a dry track and he got the results he wanted. Also, through his relationship with HBCU coaches, he was able to obtain the only game film of Stallworth that existed. He promised to return the film to be shared but never did. The rest, as they say, is history.
"I don't know that I would have gotten the opportunity that I did, certainly I don't think I would have been a Pittsburgh Steeler, had it not been for Bill Nunn," said Stallworth. "He brought my name to the table. The story that folks tell about Bill and my game films in college, how he hid those game films away, it's amusing.
"I appreciate Bill. I appreciate his dedication. He could have been like so many others who came through and (Alabama A&M) was just a stop, they weren't going to find anybody. They were supposed to stop there, and so they did and moved on. Bill stopped, had a sense of wanting to find talent, and knew there was talent there. I don't know if I am a Pittsburgh Steeler if that didn't happen."
Stallworth went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Steelers. He caught 537 passes for 8,723 yards and 63 touchdowns, all Steelers team records at the time of his retirement. He also scored one rushing touchdown.
He played in six AFC championship games and was a part of the Steelers four Super Bowl championships and was named team MVP twice. Stallworth was named All-Pro in 1979, All-AFC in 1979 and 1984 and played in four Pro Bowls. He had 12 postseason touchdown catches and 17-consecutive postseason games with a reception. Stallworth scored the game winning touchdown on a 73-yard reception in Super Bowl XIV against the Los Angeles Rams.
During his Hall of Fame acceptance speech Stallworth talked about his first impression of Pittsburgh when he arrived in 1974, and how that changed after the Steelers won Super Bowl IX.
"I've learned that first impressions are not always correct," said Stallworth. "My first day in Pittsburgh was a mid-winter night right after the draft. It was cold, the trees were barren, it was snowing and I didn't bring a big coat from Alabama. I don't think I owned a big coat.
"And I was going to a team that didn't seem to be terribly thrilled about throwing the football, the kiss of death for a receiver. My first impression of that situation was this is not a good thing.
"Eight months later, I arrived at the airport and caravanned into Pittsburgh after our first Super Bowl win. It was cold. The trees were equally as barren. It was snowing. As a matter of fact, it had been snowing for several days.
"But the difference was there were the people. They were lining the highway from the airport all the way to the city, easily a 20-minute drive. You would have thought it was mid-summer.
"And I came away from that experience with a deep appreciation of the people of Western Pennsylvania."
