Cliff Stoudt

Cliff Stoudt
Cliff Stoudt
Date of birth: March 27, 1955 (1955-03-27) (age 56)
Place of birth: Oberlin, Ohio
Career information
Position(s): Quarterback
College: Youngstown State
NFL Draft: 1977 / Round: 5 / Pick 121
Organizations
 As player:
1977-1983
1984-1985
1986-1988
1989
1990-1991
Pittsburgh Steelers
Birmingham Stallions (USFL)
St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals
Miami Dolphins
Dallas Cowboys *
*Inactive and/or practice squad member only
Playing stats at NFL.com

Clifford Lewis Stoudt (March 27, 1955 in Oberlin, Ohio) is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. Drafted in the 5th round (121st overall) 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 Terry Bradshaw's late game heroics, turned on Stoudt viciously. 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 opening March 11, 1984 game [1] against the Pittsburgh Maulers at Three Rivers Stadium, Stoudt was heckled and pelted with snow balls by the fans. It would turn out to be the only sellout in the one season history of the Pittsburgh Maulers.

After two seasons in the USFL in which he was in the top 5 in passing with such stars as Jim Kelly, Bobby Hebert, and Chuck Fusina, Stoudt returned to the NFL. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and stayed with them through the 1988 season when they moved to Phoenix. He spent his final NFL season with the Miami Dolphins, appearing in three games and never attempting a pass. He currently lives in Dublin, Ohio. His son, Cole, is currently enrolled at Clemson University as a quarterback. His son, Zack, is currently enrolled at Ole Miss as a quarterback.

Career stats

Year Team GP Att Com Pct Yds TD Int Rate
1980 Pittsburgh Steelers 6 60 32 53.3 493 2 2 78.0
1981 Pittsburgh Steelers 2 3 1 33.3 17 0 0 53.5
1982 Pittsburgh Steelers 6 35 14 40.0 154 0 5 14.2
1983 Pittsburgh Steelers 16 381 197 51.7 2553 12 21 60.5
NFL Pittsburgh Totals 30 479 244 50.9 3217 14 28 58.0
1984 Birmingham Stallions 18 366 212 57.9 3121 26 7 101.6
1985 Birmingham Stallions 18 444 266 59.9 3358 34 19 91.2
USFL
Regular season
Career Totals
36 810 478 59.0 6479 60 26 95.9

Key to Abbreviations

  • GP= Games Played
  • Att= Passes attempted
  • Com= Passes Completed
  • Pct= Completion percentage
  • Yds= Yards
  • TD= Touchdowns
  • Int= Interceptions
  • Rate= Passer rating
Preceded by
Terry Bradshaw
Pittsburgh Steelers Starting Quarterbacks
1983
Succeeded by
David Woodley
Preceded by
Bob Lane
Birmingham Stallions Starting Quarterbacks
1985
Succeeded by
none