University of Pittsburgh Football

While the University of Pittsburgh (commonlyretiring after the 1988 season.
called Pitt) football program has a rich history thatLarry Fitzgerald, born in 1983, is by far the
dates back to the nineteenth century there areyoungest of the Pitt names on this very short
three players in particular that stand out as thethree man list. The personal impact Fitzgerald had
most accomplished and well known. The threeon games during his college career at the receiver
most popular players to ever wear the blue andposition is simply incredible. Unlike Dorsett and
gold Pitt Panther uniforms are Hall of FameMarino Fitzgerald was not a highly touted recruit
quarterback Dan Marino, Heisman Trophy Winnercoming out of high school. In fact, the
and Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett, andjourneyman high school athlete first committed to
tremendously gifted phenom receiver Larryplaying college football at the small liberal arts
Fitzgerald whose full potential has yet to beschool Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter,
realized.Minnesota (with a total enrollment of only 2,600
Dan Marino, born in 1961, is known to most of thestudents the school competes in Division III
world as the All-Pro NFL player that played hisathletics). Had Fitzgerald followed through with his
entire professional career as the star quarterbackinitial commitment he likely would have never had
of the Miami Dolphins. Most casual fans of thethe opportunity to become the NFL star he is
iconic quarterback don't realize that the man oftentoday, regardless of how well he performed at
associated with Southern Florida is actually athe Division III level. Fitzgerald made the wise
native of Western Pennsylvania. Born in Pittsburgh,decision to reevaluate his college commitment and
the dual sport prep star excelled in both footballultimately attend the University of Pittsburgh.
and baseball where he was drafted by the KansasFitzgerald had such a high degree of success while
City Royals in the 1979 draft before committingat Pitt that he was awarded numerous accolades
to a career in football. Despite being named aincluding the Walter Camp Award recognizing the
Parade All-American quarterback as a high schoolbest player in college football. After his sophomore
senior the young man with a multitude of collegeseason Larry Fitzgerald came in a very close
choices decided to stay local by attending thesecond place (behind Jason White of Oklahoma) in
University of Pittsburgh from 1979 to 1983. Duringthe voting for the esteemed Heisman Trophy. It
his time playing for Pitt Marino had anis very rare for a wide receiver to win the
unforgettable career with the crowning highlightHeisman Trophy and at the time of Fitzgerald's
possibly being when he threw the game winningrun at the award a sophomore had never won it
pass in the 1982 Sugar Bowl to beat thebefore. Larry Fitzgerald established an interesting
University of Georgia.record while at Pitt in that he set the high water
Tony Dorsett, like Marino, is a product of westernmark by NCAA standards with at least one
Pennsylvania. Dorsett, born in Rochester,touchdown reception in eighteen consecutive
Pennsylvania, had a historic football career at thegames. While wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald does
University of Pennsylvania that included winningnot yet have the NFL accomplishments to his
both a national championship and the Heismanname that Marino and Dorsett acquired there is a
Trophy in 1976. During his four year careergood chance by the time his professional career is
Dorsett was a first team All-American on threeover that he will have made as great an impact
separate occasions and a second teamat his position as the other noteworthy players
All-American once, a record level ofdid at theirs.
accomplishment that will likely never be matched.University of Pittsburgh football has been defined
Tony Dorsett left the University of Pittsburghby three superb athletes at three different
with over 6,000 rushing yards, a number thatpositions in Dan Marino (QB), Tony Dorsett (RB),
was good enough to set an NCAA record thatand Larry Fitgerald (WR). While it is unclear who
would stand for over thirty years until it wasthe next generation stand out football star for
broken in 1998 by Texas running back Rickythe University of Pittsburgh team will be the one
Williams. The elusive running back would go on tothing that Pitt fans can be sure of is that there
have a Hall of Fame pro career carrying the ballwill be another revolutionary athlete to come
predominately for the Dallas Cowboys and laterthrough their program in the years to come.
for one year with the Denver Broncos before