A Few University of Pittsburgh Football Greats

Mike Ditka (1958-1960)

Mike Ditka is a well known commodity in the football scene. Ditka grew up not far from his college alma mater. He didn't have far to travel to get to his college destination. The Pittsburgh campus was only about 20 miles away. He was recruited by 3 schools coming out of high school. The other two schools were Notre Dame & Penn State.

He played tight end(TE) all 3 of his seasons spent at Pitt. Not only did he play tight end, he was also the team's punter. He is considered to be one of the greatest tight ends to play college football. He was voted to the College Football All-America Team for his senior season. He is also voted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

After leaving college Ditka went on to have a stellar NFL playing & coaching career. He played for the Bears, Eagles, & Cowboys. He was a 5 time Pro Bowl selection. 3 time Super Bowl champion. He was the very first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His success didn't stop at playing. He was head coach of both the Chicago Bears & New Orleans Saints.

He led the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl XX championship. This victory was highlighted around the world with a "Super Bowl Shuffle" video & song that featured Ditka in it. As a head coach, he was known for his antics during post-game press conferences. He often would lose his cool & lash out out at the media. Ditka currently works for ESPN as a football analyst.

Tony Dorsett (1973-1976)

Tony Dorsett was one of the finest running backs to ever play college football. He led Pittsburgh to a nation title in 1976. During this season Dorsett picked up numerous awards. He won the Heisman. He won the Maxwell Award given to the best college football player in America. He also won the the Walter Camp Award for college football Player of the Year.

He led the nation in rushing in 1976. His total was a whopping 1948 yards. He was first team All-American 3 out of 4 seasons at Pitt. He finished on the 2nd team All-America squad his other season. Dorsett ranks #2 all-time in college football for rushing yards trailing only Ricky Williams.

He had two games to well remember in college. Both games were against the mighty Irish. He rushed for 303 yards in 1975 & he totaled 290 rushing yards in 1976. People even said that Notre Dame let the field grass grow high to try & help slow this great running back down.

Dorsett went on to have a great NFL career as well. He played 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys & one with the Denver Broncos. He holds honors as being the only player to ever win a college national title one year & a Super Bowl championship the next. He helped lead the Cowboys to Super Bowl XXII win. During that Super Bowl winning season Dorsett was voted Rookie of the Year in the NFL. He has been voted into both the College Football & Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both were done in 1994.

Dan Marino (1979-1982)

Probably the greatest QB in Pitt history & quite possibly in NFL history. Dan Marino played college football for the very program that he grew up around. It's not often you see a guy playing for his hometown in college.

He had a great college career but his Heisman & national championship hype going into his senior season failed. Marino was the favorite for the Heisman heading into his senior campaign but it didn't work out for him. Pitt lost to SMU in the 1983 Cotton Bowl with the "Pony Express" by his side. This was in reference to players Eric Dickerson & Craig James.

Due to his subpar senior season, Marino wasn't drafted as high as expected. There were 5 other QB's drafted before him in the 1983 NFL Draft. Well, The teams that passed on him wished they hadn't. Miami was the team that picked him & the rest is literally "history".

He spent his entire NFL career in Miami. Playing 17 seasons in the NFL & setting numerous passing records. He was voted NFL MVP in 1984. He was a 9-time Pro Bowl selection. He never won a Super Bowl title though with the Dolphins. His jersey number has been officially retired by Miami. He was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2005, he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

 

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