Cliff Stoudt

Who is Cliff Stoudt?

Clifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. Drafted in the fifth round by the Steelers, Stoudt was the backup to Terry Bradshaw from 1977-1982 before taking over as starter during Bradshaw's injury-plagued and final season in 1983.

Stoudt led the Steelers to a 9-2 start, but the team melted down late in the season. Steeler fans, accustomed to Bradshaw's late game heroics, turned viciously on Stoudt. The Steelers managed to win the AFC Central with a 10-6 record and stumbled into the playoffs, but were quickly dispatched by the Los Angeles Raiders.

After the 1983 season, Stoudt left Pittsburgh, signing with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL. During the season opener on March 11, 1984 against the Pittsburgh Maulers at Three Rivers Stadium, Stoudt was heckled and pelted with snowballs by the fans. It would turn out to be the only sellout in the one season history of the Maulers.

After two seasons in the USFL in which he was in the top five in passing with such stars as Jim Kelly, Bobby Hebert, and Chuck Fusina, Stoudt returned to the NFL. He signed with the St.