Western Pennsylvania of Football I
Posted: Fri May 12, 2023 6:31 pm
As the Philadelphia Eagles go 300 miles west, let's take a look at Pittsburgh, the Nile River of pro football. Out of those blast furnaces and coal mines came some mighty tough hombres This probably won't continue with decline of the steel industry.
Five from the University of Pittsburgh, the Panthers, that are in a class by themselves.
1. Dan Marino was great at Pitt. For the Miami Dolphins, he set virtually every NFL passing record. Marino was a drop back pocket passer who saw the whole field all of the time. Not a running quarterback by any measure, Dan avoided sacks with quick releases and side steps.
2. Joe Schmidt-In the fifties and early sixties, pro fans could get into a real pickle over who was the best linebacker. Chuck Bednarick from the Eagles, Bill George from the Bears, Sam Huff from the Giants, or Joe Schmidt from the Lions. Huff from New York got most of the publicity. Joe Schmidt was the kingpin on the Detroit Lions dynasty from 1951 to 1957 and is still the greatest Lion ever.
3. Marshall Goldberg played under coach Jock Sutherland. He led the Panthers to back-to-back national championships in 1936 and 1937. Goldberg's 1936 team won the Rose Bowl. For the Heisman Trophy, he finished third in the 1937 and runner-up for the following year. Goldberg was also a two-time All American in both 1937 and 1938, first as a half back and then as a fullback. During his Pitt career. Marshall Goldberg amassed 1,957 rushing yards, a school record that stood until 1976 when Tony Dorsett surpassed it.
After college, Goldberg played in the National Football League for the Chicago Cardinals from 1939–43, interrupted by his service during World War II in the Navy, then again from 1946–48. The Cardinals won the 1947 NFL Championship and captured the Division title in 1948. Goldberg was named 2nd team all-pro once, in 1942.
4. Mike Ditka came out of the mills in Carnegie and became one of the great tight ends in NFL History. Great college receiver. Ditka was on the 1963 NFL Champion Chicago Bears. That year at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, he made one of the most remarkable catches I have ever seen. Ditka took a pass just beyond the line of scrimmage from Bill Wade. He dodged one tackler and then threw off three men on a 63 yard play. Ditka spent a short time with Eagles. After the Eagles traded him to Dallas, he played in the Super Bowl in 1970 and 1971.
5. Tony Dorsett shattered NCAA rushing records during his time as a Pitt Panther. 1976 saw Dorsett win the Heisman Trophy and Pitt the National Championship. Dorsett gained 202 yards in the 27 to 3 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. He became the all time rushing leader for the Dallas Cowboys until the reign of Emmitt Smith in the 90's. Dorsett was also a top notch pass receiver.
Five from the University of Pittsburgh, the Panthers, that are in a class by themselves.
1. Dan Marino was great at Pitt. For the Miami Dolphins, he set virtually every NFL passing record. Marino was a drop back pocket passer who saw the whole field all of the time. Not a running quarterback by any measure, Dan avoided sacks with quick releases and side steps.
2. Joe Schmidt-In the fifties and early sixties, pro fans could get into a real pickle over who was the best linebacker. Chuck Bednarick from the Eagles, Bill George from the Bears, Sam Huff from the Giants, or Joe Schmidt from the Lions. Huff from New York got most of the publicity. Joe Schmidt was the kingpin on the Detroit Lions dynasty from 1951 to 1957 and is still the greatest Lion ever.
3. Marshall Goldberg played under coach Jock Sutherland. He led the Panthers to back-to-back national championships in 1936 and 1937. Goldberg's 1936 team won the Rose Bowl. For the Heisman Trophy, he finished third in the 1937 and runner-up for the following year. Goldberg was also a two-time All American in both 1937 and 1938, first as a half back and then as a fullback. During his Pitt career. Marshall Goldberg amassed 1,957 rushing yards, a school record that stood until 1976 when Tony Dorsett surpassed it.
After college, Goldberg played in the National Football League for the Chicago Cardinals from 1939–43, interrupted by his service during World War II in the Navy, then again from 1946–48. The Cardinals won the 1947 NFL Championship and captured the Division title in 1948. Goldberg was named 2nd team all-pro once, in 1942.
4. Mike Ditka came out of the mills in Carnegie and became one of the great tight ends in NFL History. Great college receiver. Ditka was on the 1963 NFL Champion Chicago Bears. That year at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, he made one of the most remarkable catches I have ever seen. Ditka took a pass just beyond the line of scrimmage from Bill Wade. He dodged one tackler and then threw off three men on a 63 yard play. Ditka spent a short time with Eagles. After the Eagles traded him to Dallas, he played in the Super Bowl in 1970 and 1971.
5. Tony Dorsett shattered NCAA rushing records during his time as a Pitt Panther. 1976 saw Dorsett win the Heisman Trophy and Pitt the National Championship. Dorsett gained 202 yards in the 27 to 3 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. He became the all time rushing leader for the Dallas Cowboys until the reign of Emmitt Smith in the 90's. Dorsett was also a top notch pass receiver.