Editor’s note: Throughout the NFL season, The Athletic is telling the stories of Black coaches who have been identified as having the qualities and potential to become head coaches. To read the profiles of other candidates, click here.
On a third-and-11 in the fourth quarter, Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich is hit hard from the blind side by Ravens linebacker James Ihedigbo. Leftwich reaches for his side and rises to his feet slowly.
During the Ravens’ subsequent possession, the Steelers’ athletic trainers tend to Leftwich. He finishes the game, but two of his ribs are broken and another is cracked.
At the end-of-the-year meeting with coach Mike Tomlin, Leftwich tells his coach he loves the game and loves playing for the Steelers, but football is a game that can’t be played forever. That was the last game of his career.
He isn’t sure what’s next.
He can see no further than 300 yards in front of him,…
