“Iron Mike” Ditka

A noticeable football name around the globe. Played college football for a school that was just a short drive away. Recruited by 2 other football powerhouses. One also in-state & one from Indiana. A college player that played two different positions but had a specialty at one. One of the greatest to ever line-up at the tight end position in college.

A player that garnered All-American status his final year at Pitt. Also, voted into the elite class of college football players(College Football Hall of Fame). Once leaving his college days, “Iron Mike” went on to the next level to both play & coach. He played for 3 different teams in the NFL. Garnering 5 Pro Bowl nominations & 3 Super Bowl titles.

Ditka is in a class by himself for being the very initial player elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame from his tight end position. He coached the very team(Bears) he played for to a Super Bowl championship. This title led to even more publicity with a “tune” about the Super Bowl victory.

As head of a team, Ditka didn't care to show his emotions after games. His media relations were sometimes not very good by expressing his thoughts & opinions openly. He currently is under contract with ESPN as a pro football expert.

“Run” Tony “Run”

Here we have a man that provided Pitt with a championshi
p nearly 25 years ago. In 1976, he took home 3 prestigious awards. The nation's leader in rushing with close to 1950 yards. Goes down in college football history #2 in rushing behind former Texas great & current Dolphin Ricky Williams. Dorsett had two stellar games in college. Both against the Irish. Many thought that the grass was left to grow in South Bend to help stop Dorsett on the ground.

His NFL days were also great. He holds an honor that no other player can claim. That is winning a championship in college & turning right around the next year to gain an NFL championship. He spent his NFL career with only 2 teams. He was voted best rookie in pro football in 1977. In the same year(1994), Dorsett was elected into both the Pro & College Football Hall of Fame.

Dan “The Man”

Arguably the greatest Pitt QB ever & one of the greatest in NFL history too and making way in his career as a Pro QB. A guy that played college ball in the very town he grew up. A somewhat disappointing senior season led to his Heisman hopes going down the drain & NFL draft stock falling.

A few other QB's were taken ahead of Dan in the draft but the ones that skipped on him sure were mistaken. The Dolphins scooped him up & then he provided what turned out to be great memories & records. One thing missing on his resume was a championship. This didn't keep him from the Pro & College Football Hall of Fame after 17 NFL seasons & one NFL MVP award that made him even better QB than he was before.