Quarterback Kordell Stewart Earns Place in Colorado Sports Lore

Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kordell Stewart has earned his place among the best in Colorado sports history.

Dec 4, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart on the field before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kordell Stewart has officially taken his place in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame as a member of their 2026 class. 

Kordell Stewart’s Hall of Fame Career

Oct. 8, 2009; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UFL sideline reporter Kordell Stewart during the game between the California Redwoods against the Las Vegas Locomotives in the inaugural United Football League game at Sam Boyd Stadium. Las Vegas defeated California 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kordell Strewart played for the Colorado Buffaloes from 1991-1995 as a quarterback. In his four seasons there, Stewart threw for 6,481 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was a dual threat and also rushed for 1,289 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Stewart's most iconic play of his Buffs career was "The Miracle at Michigan" in 1994. Colorado trailed the Michigan Wolverines 26-21 with six seconds left in the game on the road. The Buffs had the ball at their own 36-yard line in need of a miracle. Stewart took the snap, bought time, and reared back to huck the ball from his own 26-yard line all the way to the end zone.

The throw reached the goal line, popping up into the air. Buffaloes wide receiver Blake Anderson caught the deflection in the end zone for the touchdown with zeros on the clock to give Colorado the epic win. Take a look at the play below.

The "Miracle at Michigan."pic.twitter.com/Dg4bJalKhL

— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) July 1, 2024

Following his collegiate career and being named First-team All-Big Eight and Second-team All-American in 1994, Stewart was selected in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stewart was inducted into the Colorado Buffaloes Hall of Fame in 2018. 

Dec 24, 2000; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart (10) in action against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK | Peter Brouillet-Imagn Images

He played in the NFL from 1995-2005, primarily with the Steelers from 1995-2002. He finished up his career with the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens from 2003-2005. During his career, Stewart threw for 14,746 yards and 77 touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in 2001. 

A playmaker who changed the game. ⚡️

Kordell Stewart officially takes his place in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame🏆@KSlash10 x #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/euTNORrM0q

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) April 21, 2026

During his Pro Bowl season with the Steelers, Stewart threw for 3,109 yards and 14 touchdowns while rushing for 537 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

New Age of Colorado Football

Apr 11, 2026; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Colorado football has gone under many changes since Stewart was quarterback, including going back and forth from different conferences. In Stewart's last season, Colorado won 11 games. The Buffaloes have not won 11 games since.

The Buffaloes' football program was going through difficult times during the 2022 season. Colorado went 1-11 and parted ways with coach Karl Dorrell during the season. In the offseason, the Buffaloes made a hire that stunned the college football world. They landed former Jackson State coach Deion Sanders.

"Coach Prime" got to Boulder and immediately made the Buffs must-see TV. Colorado got off to a 3-0 start in Sanders' first season in 2023 and even hosted ESPN College GameDay. They were the talk of the college football world. This season finished with Colorado losing eight of their remaining nine games, going 4-8 overall.

The Buffaloes turned it around the following season, going 9-4. There was another 180 in the 2025 season, as Colorado went 3-9, missing a bowl game for the second time in three years of the Sanders era. Will Colorado return to bowl season in 2026?

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