Photos Property Of The Tennessean
Near the end of the NFL season, one of the convos drifted into Black QB’s & the name “Jefferson Street” Joe Gilliam popped up. On today’s front page of the Tennessean, an article about “Jefferson Street” Joe appears on the front page of today’s local as he’s set to be posthumously inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall Of Fame.
While certain aspects of the story may seem typical, the historical significance of Joe being the first Black QB to start in the NFL is something that always should be remembered. If you’re not familiar with his tale, it’s the stuff legends & movies are made of. Son grows up on the field alongside his father, the coach. Son excels physically & mentally, rising to the level of professional sports. Successes are followed by adversity and long tumbles from grace (drug abuse, arrests & homelessness), only to see the hero eventually be cleansed and reborn.
Professionally, a leader. Locally, an icon. Personally, a reminder that it’s not always how you carry yourself in times of triumph. Sometimes, it’s more about how you rebound from life’s falls, standing back up & dusting yourself off & carrying on, that will attest to your character.
Former TSU Great Joe Gilliam Jr. Battled NFL Barriers, Own Demons [Tennessean]
Previously Posted — The Saga Of The Black Quarterback
![[avatar]](http://p.uproxxcdn.com/global/images/default-avatar.jpg){kind=avatar}
![[image]](http://cdn.tss.uproxx.com/TSS/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2012/02/Giants-Super-Bowl-Parade-32-150x84.jpg)
![[image]](http://cdn.tss.uproxx.com/TSS/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2012/02/tom-brady-jean-pierre-paul-475-150x71.jpg)
Isn’t this Joi’s father?
Every black QB in the NFL (all 10 of ‘em) should know this brother’s story. It’s pretty sad, actually.
This almost makes me wanna go buy a gilliam jersey to go with the Doug Williams’ redskins joint i still pull out on rare occassions.
And yeah, Joe is Joi’s pops. She had a couple hot albums there back in the day… i forget what it was… Tennesse Slim is the Bomb and Star Kitty… something like that. i don’t think Organized noize knew what to do with her. She’s sorta like Eryka Badu—but more rock-centric.
Nice post Gotty, I heard the name before and knew who he was, wasn’t aware of everything he went through post-NFL. Thanks for the read.
In college, his dad used to live across from us in this apartment complex. real interesting time for him/them b/c this was around the last time when he finally started to sober up, so we’d see him periodically as he was trying to get his act together. before that, you’d catch him wandering around Jefferson like the rest of the niggas leftover from the attack of crack.
“attack of the crack” aka Reagan Warfare
This is why our (black) story is better than the their (americans) story….Even when we (blacks) were free from slavery and bondage we (blacks) still had to free ourselves from the notion that we (blacks) were worthless….Many white (american) athletes were alcoholics, drug abusers, but non were actually homeless, raised in racist environment, nor falsely accused of selling/doing drugs just cope with their harsh realities in life.
Thank you Mr. Gilliam and all others that encourage change and help develop confidence within our African-american neighborhoods…