Pitt will be well represented at the 2025 Shrine Bowl, the 100th edition of the All-Star event, just as the Panthers are well represented on the Shrine Bowl All-Century Team.
The Shrine Bowl team included four Pitt Panthers: tight end Mike Ditka, offensive lineman Russ Grimm, defensive lineman Rickey Jackson, and defensive lineman Chris Doleman. This is tied for the second-most of any college, behind only Arizona State.
Each member of the legendary foursome has been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The College Football Hall of Fame created an exhibit that will run through the College Football Playoff, showcasing the Shrine Bowl and its history and impact over the last 100 years.
Ditka, a Carnegie, Pa. native and Aliquippa graduate, played three seasons at Pitt. He recorded 45 receptions for 730 yards (16.2 yards per reception) and seven touchdowns.
He played 12 seasons in the NFL, racking up 427 receptions for 5,812 yards (13.6 yards per reception) and 43 touchdowns. And when he retired, he transitioned to coaching — leading the 1985 Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl. He’s one of the most notable players in Western Pennsylvania history.
Grimm played four seasons at Pitt, transitioning from linebacker to center during his early years. And it paid off immensely, leading to a third-round selection in the 1981 NFL Draft and a decade-long NFL career. He spent every season with the Washington Redskins, helping the team to three Super Bowl titles. He earned four straight All-Pro nods during the run.
Jackson, who recently graduated from Pitt with a degree in social sciences, starred at Pitt in the late 1970s — alongside Grimm. He finished his Pitt career with 290 tackles, 21 sacks and three interceptions.
He was selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft and spent 15 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. He recorded 1,180 tackles, 136 sacks, 40 forced fumbles, 29 recoveries and eight interceptions.
Doleman spent four seasons at Pitt, racking up 25 sacks in the process. He was selected with the fourth pick in the 1984 NFL Draft. He played 15 seasons in the NFL, recording 975 tackles, 150.5 sacks, 44 forced fumbles, 22 fumble recoveries and eight interceptions (two returned for touchdowns). Doleman unfortunately died of glioblastoma in 2020.
Pitt will be represented by Konata Mumpfield and Ben Sauls (and possibly more) at the Shrine Bowl in 2025, which will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tx. on Jan. 30.
