Pittsburgh sent star receiver Roy Jefferson to Baltimore for…
Pittsburgh sent star receiver Roy Jefferson to Baltimore for Willie Richardson and a 1971 fourth-round pick. Richardson never played a regular-season game for the Steelers and was soon moved again, but the fourth-rounder became Dwight White, a founding member of the Steel Curtain and four-time Super Bowl champion. Jefferson helped Baltimore win Super Bowl V, so the Colts received real championship value even though Pittsburgh won the longer arc.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Roy Jefferson
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Willie Richardson
- pick 1971 fourth round pick (#104-Dwight White)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Pittsburgh traded Roy Jefferson to Baltimore in August 1970 for veteran receiver Willie Richardson and a fourth-round choice in the 1971 draft. The pick became defensive end Dwight White at No. 104. Richardson never played a regular-season down for Pittsburgh; after a contract dispute, the Steelers moved him to Miami for a fifth-round choice.
Why Baltimore Still Did Well
Jefferson delivered exactly the kind of immediate payoff contenders seek. In 1970 he caught 44 passes for 749 yards and seven touchdowns, contributed in the postseason and helped Baltimore win Super Bowl V. His Colts tenure lasted only one season because another contract dispute led to a 1971 trade to Washington, but Baltimore received championship-season production from the deal.
What Pittsburgh Built From the Pick
White became the transaction’s great long-term asset. He developed into an original member of the Steel Curtain and finished his Steelers career with four Super Bowl championships. Pittsburgh also salvaged a fifth-round pick by moving Richardson, adding another small piece of value after Richardson declined to accept his role.
How the Hindsight Standard Applies
This is not a trade where one side failed. Baltimore obtained a high-level receiver who helped win a title. Pittsburgh surrendered an established offensive star but converted the draft component into a defensive cornerstone of a dynasty. White’s longevity and four championship teams ultimately outweigh Jefferson’s one excellent Colts season.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh wins, but Baltimore deserves a strong grade. The Steelers earn an A because the fourth-round choice became one of the defining defenders of their 1970s championship core. The Colts earn a B for acquiring Jefferson and winning Super Bowl V with him as a major contributor. The result favors Pittsburgh without erasing Baltimore’s substantial success.