Nearly every year the NFL Draft includes a quarterback or two who are questionable first-round picks.
Should the player in question get picked too early, controversy inevitably follows.
That was certainly the case in the 1992 NFL Draft.
After only two seasons as the starting signal-caller at UCLA, Tommy Maddox surprisingly decided to go pro.
Even more surprising, the Denver Broncos, who already had John Elway, pulled the trigger and selected Maddox with the 25th overall pick.
As expected, Maddox sat on the bench behind Elway for two years before landing on the rosters of three teams in the next three years.
By the fall of 1997, Maddox was selling insurance and he was widely panned as yet another first-round quarterback bust.
Then, after deciding to suit up for the Arena League in 2000, and playing well for the XFL in 2001, Maddox was suddenly back in the NFL.
Tommy Maddox#Steelers pic.twitter.com/1f04Hm23DV
— Remembering Guys (@RememberingGuyz) August 30, 2024
From 2001 through 2005 he was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, received league accolades as the Comeback Player of the Year, and even won a Super Bowl with the organization.
In early 2006, Maddox was released by Pittsburgh and retired soon after.
He has since spent his life involved in charity and working as a high school baseball and football coach.
This is the story of Tommy Maddox.
All the Makings of a Sports Superstar
Thomas Alfred Maddox was born on September 2, 1971 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Happy Birthday to Tommy Maddox! Luv those STEELERS! pic.twitter.com/PVBaJ8OiBq
— Robert P Coronado (@Steelerboy23) September 2, 2023
The family moved to Texas soon after.
Growing up in the land of all-things football, Maddox got involved in athletics early in life and didn’t slow down when he reached L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas.
He was a three-sport star for the Blue Raiders and lettered in baseball, football and basketball.
During his senior year alone, Maddox was named a team captain in football and took his duties seriously.
As the team advanced to the 5A playoffs, the quarterback played well enough to receive a number of lofty accolades including Area MVP, District MVP, and Southwest Texas Offensive Player of the Year.
The Blue Raiders would lose in the first round of the 1988 playoffs to Arlington Lamar, but it was clear that Maddox was still going places.
Maddox Leads the Bruins
Being one of the hottest prep quarterbacks in the state of Texas has its privileges.
Although L.D. Bell didn’t do much in the postseason, Maddox’s playing bona fides brought him college interest from far and wide.
Most of the locals expected him to stay close to home and attend one of the high-profile state schools.
That’s why it was a huge shock when Maddox decided to leave the Lone Star state and commit to Coach Terry Donahue and the UCLA Bruins.
Now that I’m back in Pittsburgh I feel compelled to share this. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone in this city with a hotter sports memorabilia item than yours truly.
Signed Tommy Maddox UCLA card, circa 1992. Bidding for this ultra rare piece starts at $10,000. DMs open. pic.twitter.com/HVDISkEfav
— Justin Guerriero (@GuerrieroTrib) August 2, 2022
UCLA already boasted one of the top rosters in the nation and went 10-2 in both 1987 and 1988.
Then, out of nowhere, the program mustered only three wins in 1989, leading to panic within the Bruins’ coaching staff.
”One minute, you`re flying high, doing great. Then all of a sudden, it all blew up on us. My job is to rebuild this program as quickly as I can,” Donahue said.
When the 1990 season began, Maddox was sitting on the bench as a red shirt freshman behind Jim Bonds.
However, after 23rd-ranked Oklahoma crushed UCLA by 20 to open the year, the faith in Bonds started to dim.
It was extinguished for good by halftime against Stanford a week later.
With the Bruins on shaky ground for the first two quarters, the coaching staff turned to their 19-year-old.
“Coach Smith (offensive coordinator Homer Smith) came to me right away at halftime and told me to warm up, that I was going in,“ Maddox said.
Despite his age Maddox played well in the final two quarters, passing for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and an unlikely two-point conversion.
UCLA QB Tommy Maddox #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/dcS9mWG7xc
— Quarterback Club (@TheNewQBClub) December 31, 2015
After his second touchdown throw, Maddox was holding for the PAT when it was blocked.
Thinking quickly, he picked up the loose ball and tossed the pigskin to teammate Rick Daly.
“It was obviously a very lucky play,” Donahue said after the game. “But we had had a lot of bad luck too, so I’m not going to apologize.”
Maddox’s leadership led to a 32-31 victory and his status as the team’s starter was cemented.
“This was real big for us,” UCLA athletic director Peter Dalis said. “It allowed us to put 1989 behind us, and it also allowed us to find a quarterback.”
Back on Track in 1991
Maddox did what he could, but the Bruins won just four more times in 1990 to end the year at 5-6.
As a freshman, he passed for 2,682 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions and led the PAC-10 Conference in several categories.
Then in 1991, Maddox completed 61% of his passes for 2,505 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 15 picks.
Tommy Maddox, UCLA. If I’m not mistaken, he’s played in 4 leagues (counting college) with the NFL, XFL and Arena football being the others pic.twitter.com/9qoOszmlID
— Bob Alvis (@TheSportsBuffet) July 24, 2020
His two-year totals of 5,187 yards made Maddox the first player in the history of the conference to pass for 5,000 yards or more by his sophomore year.
UCLA benefited by rebounding to 9-3 including a slim, 6-3, win over Illinois in the John Hancock Bowl (Maddox had 176 yards passing during the contest).
Maddox Declares for the Draft
With the 1991 season behind them, Coach Donahue and the Bruins knew they had a good quarterback and a good future ahead of them.
And then they didn’t.
On the final day of January, 1992, Maddox appeared on television and told the audience he was leaving with two years of college eligibility remaining.
“While I fully understand that another year or two at UCLA would be enjoyable and beneficial to my development, I feel that it is time for me to stand on my feet as a man and take on the opportunities offered by the NFL,” Maddox said. “Playing in the NFL has been a dream of mine since childhood, and it’s a gut feeling that the time is now right.”
Almost immediately, the media talking heads cautioned Maddox about leaving school too early.
NFL fun fact. In 1992, the Broncos shocked everyone by drafting QB Tommy Maddox with their 1st round draft choice (#25 overall) as their replacement for John Elway, who was 32 years old at the time. pic.twitter.com/vZmSMsQ93c
— FB_Helmet_Guy (@FB_Helmet_Guy) September 26, 2022
Former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann was perhaps the loudest of the vocal majority that said Maddox should have stayed at UCLA for at least another year.
As usual, though, NFL teams have a tendency to panic and make hasty decisions when it comes to the draft.
The Denver Broncos were not immune and left mouths agape when they took Maddox with the 25th overall selection in the first round.
“Denver fit the mold of a team that would take Tommy–a team with no glaring weaknesses, and a team that was not desperate to utilize a player right away; a team with a real quality quarterback who wasn’t too old,” Maddox’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, said.
Part Time Starter
Denver fans were left scratching their heads as the Broncos already had quarterback John Elway on the roster.
In 1991, Elway had led the team to a 12-4 record and a loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game.
The Denver front office needed a little more help on offense after ending ‘91 with the 12th-best unit in the league in points scored.
However, then-head coach Dan Reeves liked Maddox and viewed him as the heir apparent to Elway, whenever that might be.
Reeves overruled the front office and got his man.
Name a player the Denver Broncos drafted BEFORE social Media, that would break or shutdown Twitter today in disbelief. I’ve got Tommy Maddox in 1992. pic.twitter.com/x37nCwSXSQ
— From Witt to Nix (@LennyMartens) March 3, 2022
The only problem was, Elway had no intention of giving up his starting spot even as he was about to start his 10th pro season.
For his part, Maddox didn’t have a problem waiting his turn and relished the idea of learning from Elway.
“I like the idea,” said Maddox. “I don’t care if you’re a fifth-year senior or second-year sophomore, it’s tough to step into this league. I just want to be ready when my opportunity comes up.”
Denver was 4-1 in 1992 before Maddox finally made his way onto the field in his first action as an NFL quarterback.
In Week 6, with the Washington Redskins firmly in front, Reeves inserted his prize pick.
Redskins defenders harassed the rookie mercilessly and Maddox completed only two of his eight passes, which also included an interception.
His first completion made Maddox, at 21 years old, the youngest quarterback to complete a pass in a regular season game since the Chicago Cardinals’ Elmer Angsman did so in 1946.
A few weeks later, Maddox again filled in for Elway during a Week 11 victory against the New York Giants.
It's safe to say John Elway was not pleased when ex-#Broncos coach Dan Reeves drafted QB Tommy Maddox in 1992: https://t.co/beuR5ZJK1V pic.twitter.com/ndnpRhMkjH
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) April 24, 2019
Then, with Elway nursing an injury, Maddox started in Weeks 12 through 15, all losses for the Broncos.
During his first career start against the LA Raiders in Week 12, Maddox was bruised and battered into two interceptions, four sacks, and three fumbles.
His final rookie stat line was four starts, 13 game appearances, 757 passing yards, five touchdown passes, nine interceptions and 20 rushing yards.
Maddox is Traded
Shortly after the 1992 season ended, Reeves was fired and replaced with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
The new coach had no intention of starting Maddox over Elway and the second-year QB appeared in all 16 games as strictly the holder on place kicks.
While holding the clipboard, Maddox later stated that Elway proved to be a great teacher.
“Learned a lot from him, on and off the field,” said Maddox. “Being able to see how he handled everything. And just how he approached the game, every part of it, the mental part of it. When you are as talented as he was athletically, sometimes people don’t give you credit for how hard you work and how dedicated you are to your craft. He studied hard and he was prepared. For a young guy that was instrumental in shaping me and learning how to watch film and put the effort in.”
Shortly before the 1994 NFL season began, the Los Angeles Rams traded for Maddox and gave the Broncos a 1995 draft pick in exchange.
I’m going through my old football cards and the ones I have autographed. Who remembers when Tommy Maddox played for the St. Louis Rams? pic.twitter.com/7X8goIApsX
— From Witt to Nix (@LennyMartens) May 15, 2024
Once again, Maddox saw very little action and passed for 141 yards and two interceptions while also holding for place kicks.
LA then released him after the season.
Back With Reeves
Now a free agent, Maddox was contacted by Reeves, who was about to begin his third year as the head coach of the New York Giants.
Even though the G-Men would scratch out just five wins in 1995, Maddox sat behind starter Dave Brown and saw just enough action to pass for 49 yards and three picks.
Loved these Classic 1996 Autographs! Pro Line @Giants QB Tommy Maddox and Pro Line II Memorabilia @Saints Alex Molden RC 134/1320 @CardPurchaser 🏈 pic.twitter.com/9hJ5hMdPQs
— James Harper (@marketingQB) March 20, 2023
He then began the 1996 season with the team but was cut in the preseason.
Meanwhile, Reeves completed the year with the Giants, but after a 6-10 record, was fired again.
He was hired by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997 and once again signed Maddox.
After a couple spotty appearances in the preseason, Maddox was released by Atlanta.
“Every time when somebody gets released, they talk about how the coaches always say the same thing—We think you are a great player, but it’s not working—but I think Dan and I had a relationship where I knew he was sincere and I knew it was painful for him as much as it was for me,” said Maddox. “We put pressure on each other that way. It was difficult, I knew it was hard on him. I knew he still believed in me, I just wasn’t meant to be at that time. I think that when I left Atlanta, it was probably the lowest my confidence was, even when I was going through that preseason. My career had not turned out the way I thought it would. My confidence was pretty low.”
Selling Insurance and a Comeback with the Red Dogs
Now recognized as yet another first-round quarterback bust, Maddox returned home to Texas and became an All State insurance agent.
Working in an industry other than football was a welcome change, at first.
It wasn’t too long before Maddox got the itch to return to the game.
“I did that [insurance] for a couple years and that’s when I realized I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life,” said Maddox in 2017. “I really had come to the conclusion that I just wanted to get back in football someway, somehow. At that point I really didn’t know if it would be coaching or playing, I just knew I wanted to be part of the game. I sold my agency and the Arena League called me and I thought it was a great opportunity to go play, so I started the journey again that way.”
In 1999, the New Jersey Red Dogs of the Arena Football League called Maddox to gauge his interest in playing for them.
It didn’t take much convincing.
Maddox sold his insurance business and played in the smaller confines of the Arena game in 2000.
During his lone season in the league, the former NFL QB passed for 3,800 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions.
Despite his lofty numbers, the Red Dogs could do no better than 4-10.
Maddox Makes His Mark in the XFL
Around the time that Maddox was finishing his time with New Jersey, his agent told him about a new opportunity to continue playing pro ball.
Vince McMahon, the long-time head of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) was starting a new football league called the XFL in 2001.
Maddox was intrigued about playing outdoors again and told his agent he was interested.
Soon after the league and its teams were finalized, Maddox’s rights were secured by the Los Angeles Extreme since he had played college ball at UCLA.
One of the stars of the XFL… future Super Bowl champ, Tommy Maddox. #ThisWasTheXFL pic.twitter.com/DnBq6ycd94
— 30 for 30 (@30for30) February 3, 2017
Then, after getting Maddox, the Extreme took former Maryland and NFL quarterback Scott Milanovich in the first round of the XFL Draft.
Los Angeles expected Milanovich to start and Maddox to be the backup.
By the end of training camp, those roles had reversed.
Now slinging a black and red football in a league that promoted individualism and radical changes to the presentation of the sport, Maddox looked reborn.
As the Extreme went 7-3, Maddox was the only quarterback in the league to start all 10 games and he led the XFL in passing yards (2,186) and passing touchdowns (18).
Maddox also added two touchdowns rushing and was named the regular season MVP of the XFL.
Happy belated birthday to former XFL QB and MVP Tommy Maddox, who celebrated his 47th on Sunday! 🏈🎂
Maddox is one of only three players
to have won an #XFL Championship
(L.A. Xtreme, 2001) and a Super Bowl
(#Steelers, 2006). pic.twitter.com/xLBJGxxH4d— United Football League (@TheUFL) September 3, 2018
LA advanced to the XFL’s championship game, also dubbed the “Million Dollar Game” and the “Big Game at the End.”
During the contest, Maddox passed for two touchdowns and the Extreme crushed the San Francisco Demons, 38-6.
Return to the NFL
Maddox was ready to play another year in the XFL when it was announced shortly after the championship that the league was folding.
Disappointment quickly turned to joy when the Pittsburgh Steelers called Maddox only days later.
“I faxed a letter to every NFL team and said, ‘I just want a chance to go to camp, sign me for the minimum. I just want to go to camp. I believe I can make your team. All I need is a shot.’ Pittsburgh called me and they flew me up to workout and get a physical and all that,” said Maddox. “As you go through your career and the ups and downs, I got on a plane thinking I will be back tomorrow night and we will see what’s next but I actually signed with Pittsburgh and didn’t tell my wife. So when I got off the plane I had all this Steelers stuff and she was like, ‘Are you kidding me?’”
Maddox reported to Steelers camp in 2001 but was considered a long shot to make the roster.
“I think he’s very intriguing,” Steelers head coach Bill Cowher said. “I liked him when he came out of college … I think everyone looks at Kurt Warner and his situation. Who’s to say there can’t be another one along the way? Maybe he’s going to give us a hard decision to make.”
Every day at camp was considered a blessing for Maddox who gave it his all in competing for a backup role to starter Kordell Stewart.
“I just enjoy being here,” said Maddox. “I think when people do have good second acts, it’s because their perspective is a lot different. I enjoy being around the guys. I enjoy being in the locker room, being in meetings, watching film. I don’t care how much they pay me. And you lose sight in a hurry. Let’s face it, $500,000 is $500,000.”
Not only did Maddox make the team, but he backed up Stewart as Pittsburgh went 13-3 and lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
During the season, Maddox passed for 154 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Comeback Player of the Year
In 2002, Maddox backed up Stewart again for the first month of the season.
During a Week 4 game against the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers were losing and Cowher put Maddox in to try and shake things up.
Working furiously, the former cast off helped tie the game in regulation before winning in overtime.
The following week, Cowher named Maddox as his starter.
It was the quarterback’s first start since 1992.
“I really didn’t realize it until that week and some of the media in Pittsburgh had brought it up. I started thinking about that and thought, wow, it’s been 10 years. Once I started thinking about it, it was like man, there’s been a lot that has happened in the last 10 years,” said Maddox.
Pittsburgh lost against New Orleans in Maddox’s first start but then won four in a row.
On November 17, he suffered a concussion against the Tennessee Titans and the Steelers lost, 31-23.
“You know sometimes we are fans, too. You look at a guy who has busted his tail for 10 years to get into this position for him to get hurt, it is tough,” Steelers safety Lee Flowers said about Maddox.
Stewart and Maddox traded starts for the remainder of the year, but Maddox would ultimately compile a 7-3-1 record with 2,836 yards, 20 touchdowns and 16 picks and was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.
He then led Pittsburgh to another come-from-behind win against Cleveland, this time in the wild-card round.
This Day in #PGHistory: In the AFC Wild Card, Tommy Maddox and the #Steelers erase a three score deficit in the 4th quarter to beat the Cleveland Browns 36-33. (2003)
It was also the first (and second) time Renegade was played at Heinz Field. pic.twitter.com/trd7R6497X
— Pittsburgh Clothing Co. (@PGHClothingCo) January 5, 2024
At one point in the contest, the Steelers trailed 24-7 and then 33-21.
In the closing minutes of the game, Maddox passed for a score and Pittsburgh added a rushing touchdown to win 36-33.
One week later, Tennessee ended the Steelers season in the divisional round, 34-31.
Maddox is Replaced by Big Ben
After a successful run in 2002, Maddox was named the Steelers’ starting quarterback and Stewart was not retained.
Although Maddox started all 16 games for the first time in his career and passed for 3,414 yards (career-high), 18 touchdowns and 17 picks, Pittsburgh went 6-10.
Then, in the 2004 NFL Draft, the franchise selected Miami University of Ohio quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with the 11th overall pick.
Maddox remained the starter and led the team to an opening week victory.
In Week 2, however, he was injured against the Baltimore Ravens.
This day in #PGHistory: At Baltimore, Steelers QB Tommy Maddox goes down with an injury, forcing rookie Ben Roethlisberger to make his NFL debut a little earlier than expected. (2004) pic.twitter.com/BVO8DQSiYi
— Pittsburgh Clothing Co. (@PGHClothingCo) September 19, 2019
Roethlisberger took over and promptly led Pittsburgh to 13 consecutive wins, a franchise first.
“Obviously with them drafting Ben in the first round, I knew they were going to want to see him on the field and playing at some point,” said Maddox in 2017. “That’s why they paid him the money they paid him. I had that feeling like, I am going to make the best of this year and play and hopefully have success. Then getting hurt and starting that whole deal, in the back of your mind you’re like, O.K., this is the beginning of the end. I went from being the young guy to the old guy.”
The rookie then went down with his own injury against the Ravens in Week 16.
Maddox replaced him and guided the Steelers to a win that day as well as the final game of the year against Buffalo.
8 Tommy " Tommy Gun" Maddox days until Steelers camp!!! pic.twitter.com/uhYcgOMPHY
— Franchise (@THEBUBBY6) July 18, 2023
With their 15-1 record, Pittsburgh advanced to the AFC title game again and lost to the Patriots again (just like in 2001).
In 2005, Maddox would start twice in place of an injured Roethlisberger, but by then, it was clear that the Steelers were Big Ben’s team.
An 11-5 record led to three straight road wins in the playoffs and a 21-10 triumph over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.
Maddox Retires
It was a good run while it lasted.
With all the quarterback talk over here, I want to talk about the greatest quarterback of our generation.. standing next to Big Ben 🙃🏈
I miss the days of Tommy Maddox. That’s all. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/gKtxK16sNG
— Kristen 🎶✌🏼 (@OnAirKristen) March 12, 2024
In early 2006, the Steelers released Maddox and he tried to catch on with Dallas and Oakland but struck out both times.
A contract with the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena League didn’t pan out either.
By late ‘06, it was clear that Maddox’s days as a pro football player were done.
During his career, Maddox passed for 8,087 yards, 48 touchdowns, 54 interceptions and rushed for 128 yards and one score.
He was the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2002 and won a Super Bowl in 2005 as a member of the Steelers.
Life After the NFL
Since leaving the NFL, Maddox started a charity (Tommy Maddox Foundation for disadvantaged kids) and has been a high school football and baseball coach.
He also worked for a time on a hunting ranch in Texas.
Maddox has two children with his wife, Jennifer.
In the decades since his drafting in 1992, Maddox has had plenty of time to ponder the “what-ifs” of his football choices.
“Timing is a crazy thing,” said Maddox. “People ask me all the time, even going back to UCLA, would you have stayed in school longer? Knowing what I know now, absolutely I would. I felt like with the XFL it was the first time that that timing was right for me. Going to Pittsburgh, that timing was right for me. Sometimes all we need in life is an opportunity and when they do present themselves, we have to be ready to take advantage of it.”
References
https://www.pro-football-reference.com
https://www.sports-reference.com
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