Tony Dorsett

Anthony Drew Dorsett (April 7, 1954-) (RB) was an All-State running back in high school for three years, was an Al—American in college three times, won the 1976 Heisman Trophy and continued his league acknowledgements becoming an NFL All-Pros First Team selection in 1981. Originally considered too small for the running back position, Dorsett fought for the starting job as a sophomore in high school, winning it outright and never looking back. In his senior season, Dorsett won seemingly every major award in 1976 – Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award, UPI Player of the Year, SN College Football Player of the Year, the Harley Award and the Heisman Trophy. Seeing the combination of Dorsett’s speed, agility, strength, power and elusiveness, the Dallas Cowboys selected Tony with the second overall pick of the 1977 NFL Draft out of Pitt and inserted him in to an offense that included Roger Staubach, Danny White, Preston Pearson and Billy Joe DuPree. He burst into the NFL as he rushed for 1,007 yards and 12 touchdowns during his rookie campaign, unanimously earning the 1977 NFL AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Dorsett rushed for 1,000 or more in eight of his first nine seasons not reaching the pinnacle only in the strike shortened 1982 season. Tony and the high-powered offensive corps marched to the five NFC Championship games and victory in Super Bowls XII over the Denver Broncos and a Super Bowl XIII loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tony played 11 seasons with the Cowboys (1977-1987) before being traded to the Denver Broncos for his final season (1988). He was named to the 1981 NFL All-Pro First Team and played in four NFL Pro Bowls. Tony Dorsett finished his career with 12,739 rushing yards and 77 touchdowns, 3,554 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns and threw for 41 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Tony recovered 17 fumbles for 33 yards and one touchdown in 173 games. In total, Dorsett scored 546 points on 91 touchdowns. Tony Dorsett was inducted into the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame in 1994.