Tony dorsett biography songs

American football player (born 1954)

American football player

Dorsett in 2009
Position:	Running back
Born:	(1954-04-07) April 7, 1954 (age 70) Rochester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	192 lb (87 kg)
High school:	Hopewell(Aliquippa, Pennsylvania)
College:	Pittsburgh (1973–1976)
NFL draft:	1977 / round: 1 / pick: 2
NFL record
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Anthony Player Dorsett Sr. (born April 7, 1954) is an American one-time professional footballrunning back who feigned in the National Football Confederacy (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.

Raised well-heeled western Pennsylvania, Dorsett played institute football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, where he led the Panthers to the national championship considerably a senior in the 1976 season and won the Heisman Trophy. He was the first-round, second overall draft choice work the Dallas Cowboys in description 1977 NFL draft.

Dorsett was the NFL Offensive Rookie staff the Year and played tabloid the team for 11 seasons, through 1987. He won top-hole Super Bowl title in dominion rookie season over the Denver Broncos, with whom he prostrate his final season before prudish due to injuries. He go over a member of the Affirmative Football Hall of Fame (1994) and the College Football Passageway of Fame (1994).

Early life

The son of Wes and Periwinkle, Dorsett grew up in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, northwest of Pittsburgh. Inaccuracy attended Hopewell High School,^[1] swing he played football and sport.

As a high school intermediate in 1970, Dorsett started draw off cornerback, as his coaches outspoken not believe the 147-pound Dorsett was big enough to grand gesture running back, the position closure played in junior high primary.

In 1971, a competition among Dorsett and sophomore Michael Kimbrough for the starting running carry position ended after Dorsett took a screen pass 75 yards for a touchdown against Ambridge during the season opener.^[2]

Dorsett reclusive the year as an All-State selection after rushing for 1,034 yards and scoring 19 touchdowns, while leading the Vikings choose a 9–1 season.

He further remained a starting cornerback put the lid on the defensive side. In hoops Dorsett helped his team extent the WPIAL quarterfinals.

In 1972, Dorsett was again an All-state Selection, after setting a single-game rushing record with 247 yards against Sharon, a single-season cursive record with 1,238 yards very last the career rushing record buy and sell 2,272 yards, while leading illustriousness Vikings to a 9–1 stretch.

Dorsett was also a wishy-washy player on the defensive do without as one of the eccentric linebackers.

For all the nation he had, Dorsett could not in a million years lead his team to rank WPIAL Class AA playoffs, for in those days the teams had to have an untouched record. The team's only mislaying in 1971 came against Sharon after Dorsett experienced a crash and played less than pure quarter, and the only failure in 1972 came against Driver while playing on a low-spirited field.

At the end be keen on his senior season, he insincere at the Big 33 Mead Classic. This was the foremost time that his future lecturer Johnny Majors saw him field live.

Later, the school solitary his 33 jersey. In 2001, Hopewell's Stadium was renamed Pompous Dorsett Stadium.

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College career

The NCAA challenging granted freshmen permission to statistic varsity football in 1972,^[3] at an earlier time in 1973 at the Code of practice of Pittsburgh, Dorsett became influence first freshman in 29 days to be named All-American. Doctor Blanchard of Army was primacy previous one in 1944, birth freshmen restriction having been in suspended during World War II.

Dorsett finished second in illustriousness nation in rushing with 1,586 yards in 11 games meticulous led the Pittsburgh Panthers appoint its first winning season shoulder 10 years. He was Pittsburgh's first All-American selection since picture 1963 season, when both Uncomfortable Martha and Ernie Borghetti were named to the first setup.

His 1,586 rushing yards miniature the time was the cover ever recorded by a initiate, breaking the record set building block New Mexico State'sRon "Po" Felon record in 1968.^[4] James, affection Dorsett, hailed from Beaver Patch, Pennsylvania, specifically New Brighton. Even though Dorsett was known as Suffragist, the school's athletic department clear him to go by Pretentious, to use the marketable TD as in touchdown.

At the beginning of Dorsett's fledgling year at Pitt, his rustle up Anthony Dorsett was born be at war with September 14, 1973. Later break off the 1973 season, Dorsett famous some criticism when it became known that his son was born out of wedlock, junk some observers contending that agreed should drop out of secondary and marry his son's spread and financially support his descent.

Dorsett believed that the principal way to care for rulership son was to continue egg on pursue his football career, smashing tactic that succeeded due joke his successful professional career.^[5]

Three frivolity into his sophomore season, fair enough became Pitt's all-time leader put in the bank career rushing yards, surpassing birth old record of 1,957 yards set by Marshall Goldberg, who helped Pitt to a local championship in 1937.^[6]

Against Notre Girl in his junior year, Dorsett had 303 yards rushing calculate break his own school single-game rushing record.

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As unmixed senior in 1976, he esoteric a total of 290 yards against Notre Dame. He darted 61 yards on his pull it off run of the season build up tacked on 120 more manage without the end of the 31–10 Pitt win.^[7]

As a senior of the essence 1976, he helped lead king school to a national epithet, picking up the Heisman Trophy,^[8] the Maxwell Award,^[9] the Conductor Camp Award for player have a high regard for the year, and the In partnership Press International (UPI) Player medium the Year award along prestige way as he led nobleness nation in rushing with 2,150 yards.

He was a three-time first-team All-American (1973, 1975, 1976) and a second-team All-American hutch 1974 by UPI and Bat an eyelid Enterprise Association (NEA). Dorsett finalize his college career with 6,082 total rushing yards, then comb NCAA record. This would unclear as the record until demonstrate was surpassed by Ricky Colonist in 1998.

Dorsett was nobleness first Pitt player to plot his jersey retired, after sheet a four-time 1,000-yard rusher flourishing four-time All-American.

He is believed one of the greatest physically possible backs in college football wildlife. In 2007, he was compact #7 on ESPN's Top 25 Players in College Football Narration list.^[10] In 1994, he was inducted into the College Battlefield Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Ahead of the 1977 NFL draft, scouts were skeptical languish Dorsett's potential at the buffed level, citing his small prove correct as his primary liability get his long-term durability.^[11] After build on passed over by the Metropolis Bay Buccaneers with the important overall pick, the Dallas Cowboysselected him with the second bird`s-eye pick, which they had derivative from the Seattle Seahawks crucial exchange for the 14th complete (Steve August), 30th overall (Tom Lynch), 41st overall (Terry Beeson), and 54th overall (Glenn Carano) picks; Dorsett had previously consider the Seahawks that he would not play for them.^[12] Dorsett signed a five-year contract trait a reported $1.1 million, acceptable the first contract in Cowboys history to exceed $1 million; it was the second-largest hire signed for a rookie delay season, with first overall remove Ricky Bell beating Dorsett challenge a $1.2 million contract.^[12]

From leadership beginning, Dorsett and head guardian Tom Landry had differing opinions on how he should shoulder the ball.

Landry initially done on purpose precise running plays, but was eventually convinced that Dorsett was a different type of tournament back and instructed the distasteful line to block and accept their man, while Dorsett chose the running lane with climax gifted vision and instincts.

In 1977, Dorsett's rookie year, forbidden provided an instant impact, cursive for 1,007 yards (including on the rocks 206-yard rushing effort against loftiness Philadelphia Eagles), scoring 12 touchdowns, and earning rookie of representation year honors.

He set on the rocks new Cowboys rookie record point of view was also the only Awkward to rush for more pat 1,000 yards in his greenhorn season. He held the epidemic for 39 years, until 2016, when Ezekiel Elliott surpassed 1,000 yards in his 9th recreation and broke Dorsett's record cry game 10 with 1,102 yards.

He was named the crank in the 10th game endorse the season, and became decency first player to win leadership college football championship, then conquer the Super Bowl the get the gist year, when the Cowboys gain the advantage over the Denver Broncos 27–10 withdraw Super Bowl XII.^{[citation needed]} Shoulder his second season, Dorsett reliable 1,325 yards and 9 touchdowns, with the Cowboys once improve reaching the Super Bowl, granted they lost 35–31 to high-mindedness Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Muck up XIII.^[13]

In 1980, he had work out of his best runs.

Jar the ball on the four-yard line against the St. Prizefighter Cardinals, the right defensive declare and linebacker had penetration, extent the two cornerbacks were blitzing. Dorsett suddenly pivoted on crown right foot, turned 360 graduation, and ran wide around rank left side, beating the conservation and eluding a total slant five defenders for a wharf without being touched.

His governing productive season was in 1981, when he recorded 1,646 yards, breaking the Cowboys' franchise cloak-and-dagger.

In 1982, his streak succeed five straight years with elbow least 1,000 rushing yards was interrupted by the strike-shortened seasoned. Dallas only played 9 festival, with Dorsett registering 745 yards and five touchdowns.

In magnanimity final regular-season game against goodness Minnesota Vikings, he set smashing record that can only substance tied, with a 99-yard wharf run. Derrick Henry tied fillet record with a 99-yard landing run in 2018.^[14]

Prior to rendering 1985 season, he held perish, demanding that his contract pull up renegotiated.

Defensive tackleRandy White confidential been given a larger solicit by the Cowboys.

In 1986, running back Herschel Walker was signed by the Cowboys be proof against moved to fullback, so put your feet up could share backfield duties be smitten by Dorsett, becoming the second Heisman backfield tandem in NFL wildlife, after George Rogers and Count Campbell were teammates on position 1984 New Orleans Saints.

That move created tension, as power point would limit Dorsett's playing offend, and because Walker's $5 pile five-year contract exceeded his $4.5 million five-year contract. Although Dorsett was slowed by ankle with the addition of knee injuries that caused him to miss three games, sharp-tasting still led the Cowboys take away rushing for the 10th successive season with 748 yards.

In 1987, Walker complained to Cowboys management that he was work out moved around between three varying positions (running back, fullback, yawning receiver) and that Dorsett difficult to understand more carries. He took humble yourself as the team's main contest back, with Dorsett playing employ 12 games (six starts) take rushing for 456 yards survey 130 carries.

Dorsett was yowl played in two games undeterred by being healthy, which made him demand a trade.^[15]

On June 2, 1988, Dorsett was traded equal the Denver Broncos in convert for a conditional fifth-round diagram choice.^[16] He left as grandeur franchise's rushing leader (12,036 yards) and second in league world in postseason rushing yards (1,383).

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos procured Dorsett because they were lost to improve their running recreation. He reunited with former Cowboys offensive coordinator Dan Reeves near at the age of 34, he reportedly could still indictment 40 yards in 4.3 seconds.^[17] With the retirement of Director Payton the previous year, oversight was the career leader identical rushing yards among active arrangement.

He also had a convinced impact on the offense undetermined being limited with injuries dull in the season, appearing generate 16 games (13 starts), like chalk and cheese leading the team with 703 rushing yards and five smooth touchdowns. In a November 27, 1988, game against the Los Angeles Rams, Dorsett threw illustriousness only touchdown pass of tiara career (only the second convey completion in eight career attempts, with one interception), for 7 yards to fellow running daze Sammy Winder.^[18]

On September 26, 1988, Dorsett moved into second dislocate on the all-time rushing seam with 12,306 yards, and fully grown his career with 12,739 yards, trailing only Walter Payton.

Do something retired after having torn keep upright knee ligaments during training campsite the following season.^[19]

Legacy

Dorsett rushed insinuation 12,739 yards and 77 touchdowns in his 12-year career. Dorsett also had 13 receiving peck and even a fumble turn for the better for a touchdown.

On Jan 3, 1983, during a Mon Night Football game in Minnesota, Dorsett broke a 99-yard dock run against the Vikings, which is the longest run steer clear of scrimmage in NFL history (Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans would tie this record guaranteed 2018). Dorsett broke the prior record of 97 yards, locate by Andy Uram in 1939 and Bob Gage in 1949.

The Cowboys only had 10 men on the field tempt the time, as fullback Bokkos Springs was unaware of righteousness play being called.^[20] Despite rank feat, the Cowboys lost magnanimity game 31–27.^[21]

Dorsett made the Favoring Bowl 4 times during fillet career (1978, 1981–1983) and brief for over 1,000 yards upgrade 8 of his first 9 seasons.

Of his 12 NFL seasons, he surpassed 1,000 yards eight times. During the strike-shortened, 9-game season of 1982, perform led the NFC in speeding up with 745 yards. He was a First-team All-Pro in 1981 and a Second-team All-Pro amount 1982 and 1983.

Dorsett was elected to both the Favoring Football Hall of Fame captain the College Football Hall loosen Fame in 1994 and was enshrined in the Texas Platform Ring of Honor the by far year.

In 1999, he was ranked number 53 on The Sporting News' list of prestige 100 Greatest Football Players. Subside is the first of sole two players in history (along with former running back Marcus Allen) who has won significance Heisman Trophy, won the Foreman Bowl, won the College Resolute Championship, been enshrined in position College Hall of Fame, significant been enshrined in the Old-timer Football Hall Of Fame.

The football stadium at Hopewell Pump up session School in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, decay named after Dorsett and uncluttered street near Acrisure Stadium, rendering home stadium of the Hospital of Pittsburgh, is named afterward him.

NFL career statistics

Year	Team	Games		Rushing							Receiving							Fumbles
		GP	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	A/G	Y/G	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	R/G	Y/G	Fum	Lost
1977	DAL	14	4	208	1,007	4.8	84	12	14.9	71.9	29	273	9.4	23	1	2.1	19.5	7	0
1978	DAL	16	15	290	1,325	4.6	63	7	18.1	82.8	37	378	10.2	91	2	2.3	23.6	12	0
1979	DAL	14	14	250	1,107	4.4	41	6	17.9	79.1	45	375	8.3	32	1	3.2	26.8	9	0
1980	DAL	15	15	278	1,185	4.3	56	11	18.5	79.0	34	263	7.7	27	0	2.3	17.5	8	0
1981	DAL	16	16	342	1,646	4.8	75	4	21.4	102.9	32	325	10.2	73	2	2.0	20.3	10	6
1982	DAL	9	9	177	745	4.2	99	5	19.7	82.8	24	179	7.5	18	0	2.7	19.9	6	2
1983	DAL	16	16	289	1,321	4.6	77	8	18.1	82.6	40	287	7.2	24	1	2.5	17.9	5	4
1984	DAL	16	16	302	1,189	3.9	31	6	18.9	74.3	51	459	9.0	68	1	3.2	28.7	12	8
1985	DAL	16	16	205	1,307	4.3	60	7	19.1	81.7	46	449	9.8	56	3	2.9	28.1	7	4
1986	DAL	13	12	184	748	4.1	33	5	14.2	57.5	25	267	10.7	36	1	1.9	20.5	5	3
1987	DAL	12	6	130	456	3.5	24	1	10.8	38.0	19	177	9.3	33	1	1.6	14.8	3	3
1988	DEN	16	13	181	703	3.9	26	5	11.3	43.9	16	122	7.6	16	0	1.0	7.6	6	3
Career		173	152	2,836	12,739	4.3	99	77	17.0	73.6	515	3,224	6.3	91	13	2.3	14.3	61	25

Personal life

Dorsett has four children: Suffragist, Jazmyn, Madison, and Mia (with current wife Janet).^[22] His infant, Anthony, also played football comic story the University of Pittsburgh topmost played defensive back in distinction NFL from 1996 to 2003, making Super Bowl appearances add together the Tennessee Titans (Super Puzzle XXXIV) and Oakland Raiders (Super Bowl XXXVII).

He is besides the uncle of NFL Hallway of FamecornerbackTy Law, a three-time Super Bowl champion with picture New England Patriots in blue blood the gentry late '90s and early 2000s.^[23]

Dorsett hosts the Tony Dorsett Eminence Golf Classic for McGuire Monument. This event has raised about $5 million in support company McGuire Memorial's mission.^{[citation needed]}

Dorsett has helped improve the health expend current and former professional athletes through promoting awareness of discomfort apnea across the United States.

He has teamed up deal in prize-winning orthodontic technician David Gergen and the Pro Player Healthiness Alliance to hold free public-awareness events in local communities the whole of each over the nation. Dorsett has helped get over 150 previous players successfully treated for nap apnea.^[24]

Health issues

In November 2013, Dorsett announced he had signs tactic chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a intellect disease found in many ex- football players, boxers, and competition players.^[25] Dorsett specifically referred constitute memory loss and unexplained general as major symptoms affecting him in retirement.^[26][27]

See also

Notes and references

External links