Tommy Maddox

Former XFL MVP and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Thomas Alfred Maddox (born September 2, 1971) played nine seasons in the NFL, one season for the Arena Football League (AFL) New Jersey Red Dogs and one season for the XFL’s Los Angeles Xtreme.

In 1992, the Denver Broncos drafted UCLA football player Tommy Maddox in the first round. By 1997, he was out of the NFL after four seasons with the Broncos, Rams, and Giants. Maddox became an insurance agent before returning to the AFL and XFL in 2000 and 2001. Maddox led the XFL in throwing yards and touchdowns in his MVP season, and won the XFL championship as starting quarterback of the Los Angeles Xtreme.

Maddox joined the Steelers the same year after the XFL triumph. He led the squad to the playoffs in 2002 as the starting quarterback. After Super Bowl XL, Maddox was released by Pittsburgh and retired. Maddox is one of four Super Bowl-winning Xtreme players.

Maddox attended L. 1989 Hurst, Texas, D. Bell High School. Maddox lettered in football, basketball, and baseball at L.D. Bell. He was team captain and Southwest Texas Offensive Player of the Year, District MVP, and Area MVP as a senior.

Tommy Maddox played for UCLA  from 1990 to 1991. Maddox passed 182 of 327 (55.7%) for 2,682 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in 1990. In 1990, UCLA was 5-6. Maddox led UCLA to a 9-3 record and the 1991 John Hancock Bowl with a 209-for-343 (60.9%) completion rate for 2,681 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions the following season. Maddox became the first Pac-10 player to pass for 5,000 yards by his sophomore year at UCLA. In a Friday night news conference on January 31, 1992, Maddox announced his intention to declare for the 1992 NFL Draft, reading from a prepared statement: “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.”

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos drafted Tommy Maddox 25th overall in the 1992 NFL Draft. Joe Theismann, a television draft analyst, said Maddox should have stayed at UCLA another year. Elway felt the Broncos should have used their first pick on other positions instead of Maddox. Elway was always professional with Maddox, doing everything he could to integrate him into the Broncos system. In the 34-3 loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 6, Maddox played his first snaps, completing 2-of-8 passes for 10 yards and one interception. In that game, Maddox became the youngest NFL quarterback to complete a throw since Elmer Angsman in 1946. Maddox led the Broncos to a 27-13 win over the New York Giants in Week 11 (November 15) after Elway left with a shoulder injury. From weeks 12–15, Maddox started with four losses. In his maiden start in the 24–0 loss to the Los Angeles Raiders in Week 12, Maddox went 18-of-26 (69.2%) for 207 yards, two interceptions (both by Terry McDaniel), four sacks, and three fumbles (one lost). Three hours before kickoff, Maddox knew he would start. The Los Angeles Times reported: “Every time Denver moved the ball, Maddox would be pressured, sacked, or simply dropped the ball.” Maddox completed his first professional touchdown pass to Mark Jackson in a 16-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks the following week.

In 1993, Maddox was Wade Phillips’ 1993 placekicker holder. In a fake field goal attempt in Week 14 (December 5), Maddox completed one throw for one yard to linebacker Dave Wyman in a 13-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers.

Due to the salary cap, in 1994 the Broncos traded Maddox to the Rams for a fourth-round 1995 NFL draft pick on August 27, 1994. Maddox played five games as a placekicker holder and two as a quarterback. On Week 5 (October 2), Maddox was 7-for-15 for 86 yards and 2 interceptions in an 8-5 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 12 (November 20), Maddox completed 3 of 4 passes for a 55-yard drive and field goal. Todd Kinchen caught a career-long 39-yard pass. The Rams moved to St. Louis after a 4-12 1994 season.

On August 30, 1995, Tommy Maddox signed as a free agent with the New York Giants, playing under Dan Reeves again. Maddox played all 16 games as a placekicker holder for Dave Brown and quarterbacked three games. In Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Maddox replaced Brown. In the 17-14 loss, Maddox completed his first pass but went 6-for-23 for 49 yards, three interceptions, and one sack. Maddox replaced Brown late in the fourth quarter against the Eagles in Week 12. Maddox fumbled and was sacked for four yards.

In the Giants’ 1996 exhibition opener, Maddox played the second half. The Jaguars recovered Maddox’s first snap from the line of scrimmage. Maddox repeated this error twice yet led the game-winning drive. Maddox starter the Giants second exhibition, a 7–27 loss to the to the expansion Baltimore Ravens. Maddox was 5-of-10 for 42 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and two fumbles. On August 20, 1996, the Giants dismissed Maddox.

Tommy Maddox went to the Falcons in 1997. On August 16, Maddox threw an interception in a 35–31 preseason loss to the Washington Redskins, leading to his release from the Falcons after training camp.

Post-NFL Opportunities, AFL, XFL

Without a playing opportunity, Maddox began selling insurance for Dallas-based Allstate in November 1997. He was profiled by NFL Films, and Maddox stayed close to the game by coaching at L. Bell High in Dallas.

In 1999, the AFL’s New Jersey Red Dogs came calling and Tommy Maddox was back leading an offense. Maddox threw 284-of-490 passes for 3,800 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions with the Red Dogs.

In the fall of 2000, the XFL’s Los Angeles Xtreme used the first pick overall in the XFL draft to select a former NFL quarterback, Scott Milanovich (Maryland). Meanwhile, Tommy Maddox (UCLA) was selected by the Xtreme as a regional pick. In training camp, Milanovich lost the starting quarterback job to Maddox. Maddox started the first week and made an impression. He led the XFL in passing statistics, becoming the league MVP and helping the Xtreme to win the “Million Dollar Game” where they defeated the San Francisco Demons 38–6.

That was the end of Tommy Maddox’s XFL career, as the league folder shortly after the 2001 season. However, Maddox’s time in the XFL was about to lead him back to the NFL.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tommy Maddox joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2001 to back up Kordell Stewart. In Week 7 (October 29) against the Tennessee Titans, Maddox threw one 57-yard throw to Troy Edwards. On January 6, 2002, Maddox completed 6-of-8 passes for 97 yards, a touchdown to Bobby Shaw, an interception, a sack, and an eight-yard rush in the season finale. The 2001 Steelers were 13-3 and first in the AFC Central Division; however, they lost the AFC Championship game to the eventual Super Bowl XXXVI champion New England Patriots.

In 2002, Maddox replaced Kordell Stewart at quarterback in Week 4 and led a comeback win over the Cleveland Browns. Maddox tied the game with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress after a seven-play, 84-yard drive with 2:02 left. On September 16, 2002, Cowher named Maddox the starter. Maddox lost 32-29 to the New Orleans Saints in his first NFL game since 1992. Maddox passed 22-for-38 for 268 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Four sacks for 24 yards and a fumble In his third Steelers start, Maddox defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 34-7 in Week 6 (October 13). Maddox finished 16-for-25 for 216 yards, one score, two interceptions, and two sacks.

The Steelers defeated Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 28-10 on Monday Night Football in Week 7. Maddox completed 25-of-33 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Steelers’ first three drives to touchdowns. The Steelers were 4-1 under Maddox after a 0-2 start under Kordell Stewart.

The Steelers tied the Atlanta Falcons 34–34 in Week 10 (November 10), the first NFL tie since 1997. Maddox went 28-for-41 for 473 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. He was sacked for three yards and rushed twice for seven. Maddox fired a 50-yard pass to Plaxico Burress on the final drive of overtime, one yard short of a score. After being tripped by Lance Schulters in Week 11’s 31-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Maddox left in an ambulance. While Maddox healed, Kordell Stewart beat the Cincinnati Bengals 29-21 in Week 12 (November 24). The next game, Cowher started Stewart. Pittsburgh defeated Jacksonville 23-25 in Week 13 (December 1). In Week 14 (December 8), Maddox returned as the starter, but the Steelers lost to the expansion team Houston Texans 24–6 as Maddox had six sacks, a turnover, and went 30-for-57 passes for 325 yards and a 55.1 quarterback rating. Texans cornerback Aaron Glenn returned Maddox interceptions for 70 and 65 yards. The Steelers won the final three games of 2002 under Maddox.

In 2002, Maddox guided the Steelers to the playoffs with a 10-5-1 record. Maddox completed 234-of-377 passes (62.1%) for 2,836 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions this season. He was sacked 26 times for 148 yards, carried 19 times for 43 yards, and fumbled eight times (three lost). Maddox’s 2002 passer rating was 85.2.

Maddox rallied the Steelers from a 24-7 hole to win the wild card round at home against the Browns on 30-of-48 passing for 367 yards and three touchdowns before losing in overtime to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round.

In 2003, the Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens and rookie quarterback Kyle Boller 34-15 in Week 1 (September 7) at Heinz Field under Maddox. Maddox went 21-for-29 for 260 yards and three touchdowns with a 134.3 passing rating. Hines Ward grabbed two touchdowns and Jay Riemersma one. In Week 2, Maddox passed for 336 yards in a 41-20 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, but he regressed statistically with 28-for-47 passing, one touchdown, three interceptions, four sacks, and a 62.0 rating. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 17-10 at home in Week 3 (September 21). Maddox threw 21-of-34 for 240 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Late in the second quarter, Maddox accomplished a trick play called “Bengal” on field goal formation (fourth-and-three at the 50) by taking the snap on his knee and passing to Jerame Tuman, who advanced 23 yards to the Bengals’ nine-yard line. This trick play gave the Steelers a 7-0 halftime advantage. The Steelers ran down the clock until Maddox took a knee to win with 5:54 left in the fourth quarter. After that, the Steelers lost five straight and started the season 2-6. Pittsburgh lost 33-13 to the Cleveland Browns in Week 5 (October 5) during the five-game losing skid. Maddox threw two interceptions and lost one fumble on 11-of-24 passing for 136 yards and a 29.2 passer rating. Cleveland CB Daylon McCutcheon returned one interception 75 yards for a touchdown. Denver defeated Pittsburgh 17-14 at Mile High Stadium in Week 6. Maddox’s first interception-free game since Week 1 saw him sacked seven times for 56 yards.

The Steelers went 4-4 in the second half of 2003, finishing 6-10. In Week 13 (November 30), Maddox completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward with nearly one minute left to put the Steelers up 20-17, but the Bengals scored a touchdown in the final minute to win 24-20 and eliminate the Steelers’ playoff hopes. Although Maddox established the team record for most single-season completions, the Steelers offence ranked 22nd league-wide.

In 2004, the Steelers took quarterback Ben Roethlisberger 11th overall in the 2004 NFL draft . Roethlisberger’s selection suggested Maddox’s $750,000 compensation was the lowest among NFL starting quarterbacks. Before the draft, Maddox discussed contract increases with Steelers owner Dan Rooney.

Tommy Maddox started the first two games of 2004: a 24-21 win against the Oakland Raiders on September 12 and a 30-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on September 19. Maddox threw 13-of-22 for 142 yards against Oakland. Roethlisberger replaced Maddox after Maddox suffered an elbow strain in the third quarter against Baltimore. Since Maddox was out until November, Roethlisberger became the starter. Roethlisberger led Pittsburgh to a franchise-record 13-game winning run before suffering a rib injury in the Week 16 (December 26) 20-7 triumph over Baltimore. Maddox played in the fourth quarter after Terrell Suggs injured him and Roethlisberger. The Steelers ran largely with Haynes, Bettis, and Ward, while Maddox only completed one pass to Verron Haynes for no gain. This strategy gave Pittsburgh possession for the last 7:45. On January 2, 2005, Maddox started the final game of the season, a 29-24 win over the Buffalo Bills that eliminated them from postseason contention. Maddox passed 12-of-24 for 120 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. The Steelers were the first NFL AFC team to finish 15-1. The Steelers reached the AFC championship, but the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXIX.

In 2005, after Roethlisberger’s knee injury, Maddox started in October 2005. In Week 6 (October 16), Maddox’s first start of the season, the Steelers fell 23-17 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Maddox completed 11 of 28 passes for 154 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions. In a news conference after the game, coach Bill Cowher regretted not switching third-stringer Charlie Batch for Maddox and not using Jerome Bettis for more running plays. Cowher demoted Maddox to third string behind Batch. Maddox completed 4 of 7 passes for 22 yards in Week 10’s 34-21 win over the Cleveland Browns. Maddox started Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens while Roethlisberger had knee surgery. Maddox was 19-for-36 for 230 yards, a touchdown, an interception, and a fumble as Pittsburgh lost 16-13 in overtime against Baltimore. Maddox’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Willie Parker tied the game, but he threw an interception to Terrell Suggs on the Steelers’ last possession. This was Maddox’s last game. The Steelers went on to defeat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.

For salary cap considerations, the Steelers released Maddox on March 3, 2006. The Oakland Raiders tried out Maddox in September 2006 but they did not offer him a contract. This was the same case when Maddox tried out for the Dallas Cowboys in December 2006.

Tommy Maddox had another brief flirtation with the AFL, signing a short contract with the Philadelphia Soul but he never played a down.

Now completely our of football, most recently Tommy Maddox was coaching baseball in Texas. Maddox was an assistant on the Grapevine High (Texas) that won the 5A State Championship in 2016. In 2018, he coached the Decatur Eagles when they went 17-14 and lost in the 4A Region II quarterfinals.