Colorado University Athletics
Former Buffs Star Stewart Returns To CU To Finish Degree
June 01, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When it comes to people who influenced his life, people who set a standard he has always tried to follow, former Colorado quarterback Kordell Stewart has constantly pointed to his father, Robert Stewart.
In his recently published book, “Truth,” Stewart writes about his dad: “Had it not been for him, I would never have been the player I was in the NFL. And most importantly, I would not be the father that I am today.”
Stewart is now the father of a 13-year-old son, Syre — and he's doing his best to pass on to his son the lessons and guidance he received from his father. It's one very big reason he is back in Boulder this summer, where he's attending classes on the CU campus in order to finish his degree, 21 years after he originally left the CU campus for a career in the NFL.
“Doing this is to give my son a quality visual,” Stewart said. “You don't want to have your son listening to you when you're talking to him and not be leading by example at the same time. You want to give him something that he sees you do, something that you live by, not just say.”
Stewart is only a few credits shy of his degree in Communications. When he finishes his two classes this summer, he'll take part in the graduation ceremonies.
Stewart is remembered in Boulder for a standout career with the Buffs, one that included a long list of record-setting performances, an 11-1 record and No. 3 ranking in 1994, and the “Miracle in Michigan” pass completion that lifted CU to a win over the Wolverines on the final play of the game. He then enjoyed an 11-year NFL career that included one Super Bowl appearance and three AFC Championship games with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
His son, however, doesn't remember those days. This summer, Stewart plans to give him a memory that will stick with him for life.
“My son knows I'm going to school and getting ready to graduate,” Stewart said “Once that happens, he's going to be there and watch his dad walk across the stage in his cap and gown.”
Stewart said he has always kept the goal of finishing his degree in the back of his mind. But it wasn't possible when he was still playing professional football, and it's only now that he believes he has the time to devote to the task.
“It was the perfect time,” Stewart said. “Erin (Hoag, his academic counselor at CU) used to get on me about it all the time and I was always saying I'll do it. She pushed me, but I always had so much going on.
“But now I have the time to actually sit still, attend class on campus and finish the process.”
Stewart admits the process is slightly intimidating. He hasn't been in a classroom setting since 1995, and his skills in that realm are a little rusty. Then there's the fact that most of his classmates — including current CU offensive lineman Shane Callahan — weren't even born when Stewart was finishing his first stint as a Buff.
“It's definitely intimidating,” Stewart said. “To sit in a confined space with young kids who may have watched me play in the NFL, or know of me in some way, some capacity — it's a tall order being in that atmosphere.
“But it's like riding a bike. You don't lose that skill, you just have to sharpen it up again.”
While in Boulder, Stewart will still be able to conduct his sports talk radio show, which he does through TuneIn radio. He'll do the broadcast from the CU campus.
“It's one of the things that made the timing of this so perfect,” Stewart said. “With my job, I can travel anywhere I need to go and still work because I can take my equipment with me. Here, we have studios on campus and they're kind enough to allow me the use of those.”
Over the years, a number of former CU stars have returned to Boulder and completed their degrees. For some — Stewart included — it's part of a life “bucket list.”
“When you have a child, that perspective really kicks in,” Stewart said. “You start feeling like you need to get some things done. It's important to set that example. My dad was a great influence on my life and I want to have that same effect on my son. I want to give him a foundation and the mental fundamentals of being responsible. I want to give him an example to follow, not just words.”
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
