Curtis Stewart (American football)

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Curtis Stewart
No. 28
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1963-06-04)June 4, 1963
Montgomery, Alabama
Died:July 3, 1996(1996-07-03) (aged 33)
Montgomery, Alabama
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school:Jefferson Davis (AL)
College:Auburn
Undrafted:1988
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Curtis James Stewart (June 4, 1963 – July 3, 1996) was a running back in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Auburn University.

Early years[edit]

Stewart attended Jefferson Davis High School. He posted 1,430 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior.[1] He helped the team achieve a 10–0 regular season record and reach the state's 4A playoff semifinals.[1]

He was a highly recruited football player in Alabama, but his grades didn't meet the NCAA's standards to receive a scholarship.[2]

College career[edit]

Stewart enrolled at Ferrum College to improve his grades. He was the team's leading rusher as a freshman, transferring at the end of the season to Auburn University.[2]

As a sophomore, he didn't see much action in a team that had future NFL players Bo Jackson, Brent Fullwood, Tommie Agee and Tim Jessie at the running back position. As a junior, although he was listed as the third-string running back behind Jackson and Fullwood, he was used predominantly as a blocker, registering 37 carries for 199 yards and one touchdown.[3]

In 1986, because of the talent level at the running back position, he was tried briefly at linebacker, before being redshirted to extend his college eligibility.[4]

As a redshirt senior, the starter James Joseph cracked his left kneecap in September, opening the door for Stewart to be one of the players employed in a running back by committee approach.[5] He was fifth on the team with 54 carries for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns. He scored 2 rushing touchdowns against Vanderbilt University.[6] He finished his college career with 92 carries for 383 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Professional career[edit]

On February 3, Stewart was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Bears after the 1988 NFL Draft, to be used as a fullback.[7][8] He was placed on the injured reserve list on August 23.[9] He was released on September 4, 1989.[10]

In October 1989, he was signed to the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad. On November 21, he was promoted to the active roster.[11] He wasn't re-signed after the season.

Coaching career and death[edit]

In 1992, Stewart was named a volunteer assistant coach and strength coach at Jefferson Davis High School, contributing to the team winning a state championship in 1996. On July 3, he died from injuries suffered in a traffic accident on U.S. Route 80, between Selma and Montgomery.[12]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Two Pick Auburn". April 1982. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Stewart making the grade". 11 August 1985. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  3. ^ "His Former Blocker Picks Bests by Bo". Los Angeles Times. 3 September 1989. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  4. ^ "Jackson hot at scrimmage". 31 August 1986. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  5. ^ "Harris comes through for AU". 4 October 1987. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  6. ^ "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SOUTH; L.S.U. Surges Past Georgia". 11 October 1987. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  7. ^ "Transactions". 4 February 1989. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  8. ^ "12 Bears To Go But Suhey Stays". Chicago Tribune. 4 September 1989. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  9. ^ "NFL Transactions". Chicago Tribune. 24 August 1988. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  10. ^ "Becker among 12 cut by Bears". 5 September 1989. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  11. ^ "Dallas Cowboys release running back Darryt Clack". 22 November 1989. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  12. ^ "Still a force: 1996 state champion Vols still revere assistant". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
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