Pubdate: Sat, 13 Jan 2001 Source: Inquirer (PA) Copyright: 2001 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc Contact: 400 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19101 Website: http://inq.philly.com/content/inquirer/home/ Forum: http://interactive.phillynews.com/talk-show/ DEATH OF EX-STEELER GILLIAM ATTRIBUTED TO DRUG OVERDOSE NASHVILLE (AP) - Joe Gilliam, the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, died of a cocaine overdose, the Nashville medical examiner said yesterday. "The cause of Mr. Gilliam's death is cocaine intoxication," Dr. Bruce Levy said. "The manner of his death is accident." Gilliam died on Christmas Day at 49. He had struggled for years after his NFL career with drug problems, living periodically on the streets of Nashville, his native city, where he was lauded as "Jefferson Street Joe" during his heyday as a star at Tennessee State. At a reunion of former Steelers shortly before his death, Gilliam said that he had avoided drugs for three years. Gilliam was drafted by the Steelers in 1972. When some players, including quarterback Terry Bradshaw, went on strike two years later, Gilliam became the starting quarterback. He kept the job for a time after the strike, leading the Steelers to a 4-1-1 record. But Bradshaw was restored as the starter, and the Steelers went on to win their first Super Bowl. Gilliam had said that he started using drugs about 1974. His cocaine and heroin problems ended his football career. He pawned his two Super Bowl rings. But over the last three years, Gilliam seemed to have turned his life around. He was praised for opening a football camp for teens at Tennessee State last summer and for counseling those who attended to stay away from drugs and alcohol. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D