Former Alabama 1991 All-American Defender Dies at 55
Former Alabama All-American Robert Stewart died last Saturday, June 4 in his adopted hometown of Charlotte, N.C., he was 55-years old. The cause of death has yet to be disclosed.
Stewart was born in Ashford, AL., and played for the Crimson Tide from 1988-91. He was known as an incredible athlete, starting his career at The Capstone as an inside linebacker. He transitioned to play fullback before transitioning again in 1990 and finding his niche as a nose tackle on the defensive side of the ball.
"Strongest human being I think I've ever been around," said his former teammate Martin Houston on The Game with Ryan Fowler. "One of the neat stories is, they said he worked in a garage, this may be myth and legend, but supposedly they didn't have to have a fork-lift or anything to lift the motor up, he'd just walk over and pick it up and I believe that. One day in the weight room he dropped 450 pounds on his chest, got up, went into the training room, came back out after they checked him out and he was fine and he did 500 pounds, all in the same day."
He was named a permanent team captain as a senior, his hand and shoe prints can be found in the concrete at Denny Chimes on the quad.
The 6-foot, 308-pounder was named first-team All-American and All-SEC for the 1991 season after totaling 59 tackles with eight for a loss and six sacks. Alabama finished 11-1 and ranked No. 5 in his senior year.
"Robert was a powerful positive presence every day on our team. His smile augmented great physical strength so everyone loved and respected him. Godspeed Robert," wrote coach Bill Curry on his memorial webpage.
The New Orleans Saints drafted Stewart in the eighth round of the 1992 NFL Draft but only played two seasons in the NFL. Stewart went on to have an 11-year career in the Arena Football league with five different teams.
During his stint in the AFL he was named three-time First Team All-Arena and three-time Second-Team All-Arena while earning Lineman of the Year in 1999 for the New Jersey Red Dogs.
A visitation will be held for Stewart on Saturday, June 18 at Silver Mount Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., with a funeral service to follow.