A father and son Pitt duo that’s very familiar with the Dallas-Fort Worth area is back in town this weekend for an important game.
Tony Dorsett starred for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL for a decade, but before that, he was a standout at Hopewell and a Heisman Trophy winner at Pitt. And his son Anthony Jr., a fellow Pitt letterman, grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
They’re back to serve as the honorary captains for the huge ACC clash against No. 20 SMU, Pat Narduzzi announced. The duo likely needs no introduction.
The elder Dorsett spent four seasons at Pitt following his prep career at Hopewell, finishing — and remaining — as the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
He racked up 1,074 carries for 6,082 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and 55 touchdowns, adding 38 receptions for 404 yards and four touchdowns. His Heisman Trophy campaign in 1976 is the only in program history — fueling a national championship-winning season.
He spent 11 seasons in Dallas, racking up 2,755 carries for 12,036 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and 77 touchdowns — adding 398 receptions for 3,554 yards and 13 more touchdowns.
He earned four Pro Bowl nods, three All-Pro teams and the Offensive Rookie of the Year honor in 1977, and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
The younger Dorsett also played four years at Pitt and ran on the track team (winning a Big East championship in the 4×100 relay). He spent eight seasons in the NFL, playing with the Tennessee Titans and Oakland Raiders.
He racked up 267 tackles (212 solo), two tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 22 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three recoveries in his eight seasons.
The Dorsetts are the seventh honorary captains for the Panthers this season, joining former offensive lineman Jason Pinkston, former long snapper Cal Adomitis, former offensive lineman Mike McGlynn, former tight end J.P. Holtz, former linebacker Clint Session and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Kickoff between Pitt and SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium is scheduled for 8 p.m., with inclement weather forecasted for the area, and the ACC Network will broadcast the most important ACC matchup of the season.
T.D. was/ is the greatest back I ever watched.