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Tony Dorsett

Heisman Winner, Super Bowl Champion, Hall of Famer, Tony Dorsett – A Legacy of Greatness On and Off the Field

Anthony Drew was born to Wes and Myrtle Dorsett on April 7, 1954, in Rochester, Pennsylvania. When his parents moved to be near the Jones and Laughlin Steel Mill in Aliquippa when Tony was young, they hoped at least one of their seven children would reach beyond the town's limits.  Tony was the one who did. He had visions that went beyond the steel gray hue of the Western Pennsylvania projects that he called home.  

While Tony was still attending Hopewell High School in Aliquippa, his coach made a wise decision to switch him from linebacker to running back. Dorsett gained 1,034 yards as a junior in high school, and his record of excellence continued unabated when he moved up a step to the University of Pittsburgh. 
 
Dorsett's record with the Panthers was legendary. He was named to an All-America team as a freshman and again as a junior and senior. Playing under Coach Johnny Majors, Dorsett became the first college back to run for 1,000 or more yards four seasons and the first to gain more than 1,500 yards for three years. His best season as a senior saw him running for 1,948 yards and 21 touchdowns. 

He crowned a brilliant collegiate career by being named All-American four times and winning the coveted Heisman Trophy in 1976. He is considered one of the greatest running backs in college football history.  
 
In the 1977 draft, the Dallas Cowboys were quick to select Tony in the first round. He won consensus rookie of the year honors in helping Dallas win Super Bowl XII. Tony is one of the top ten all-time leading rushers in the NFL. In 1982, Tony captured his first NFC rushing title and established an unbreakable NFL record by racing 99 yards from scrimmage for a touchdown.  
 
Tony served as team captain in '81, '82 and '84. He was voted to the Pro Bowl in '78, '81, '82 and '83. In 1981 he earned consensus All-Pro honors and was named NFC Player of the Year by UPI. In a 1979 Gallup Youth Survey of American teenagers' favorite sports personalities, Tony finished second to Roger Staubach.  
 
1994 was a banner year for Tony. He was inducted into the prestigious Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  
 
Today, Tony lives with wife Janet in the Dallas area and has three beautiful daughters and a son, Anthony, who also played in the NFL. Tony is involved in many community activities and charities in Dallas, including ALS, March of Dimes, Minnie’s Food Pantry, and the Tony Evans Ministry. Tony also supports the McGuire Memorial Foundation in Pittsburgh.

HONORS

  • Four Time NCAA All America 
  • First Player in NCAA History with 4 - 1,000 Yard Seasons and 3 - 1,500 Yard Seasons
  • 1976 Heisman Trophy
  • NFL Rookie of the Year 1977
  • NFL All Pro 
  • Four Time Pro Bowl Player
  • Holds NFL record for longest run from the line of scrimmage 99 yards in ‘83 against Minnesota
  • Two NFL Super Bowl Championships XII-1978; XIII-1979
  • 5 NFC Championship Games
  • Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor 1994
  • College Football Hall of Fame 1994
  • NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame 1994 
 


TOPICS

Overall Sports

Leadership and Teamwork

Overcoming Adversity and Resilience

Life Beyond Football
BOOKS

Running Tough: Memoirs of a Football Maverick
Tony Dorsett
PAST CLIENTS

  • Legends Hospitality
  • AT&T
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Gamebreaker
  • Panini America
  • Fidelity National Agency Solutions
  • Verizon
  • Nissan North America
  • Main Event
  • Sandia Resort and Casino
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Hard Rock Café Tampa
  • Ford
  • Midwest National Life
  • Charles Schwab
  • Celanese
  • Mastercard
  • Jack Henry and Associates
  • Football Greats Alliance
  • New Era Cap Company
  • WSS
  • Midwestern State University
  • IBM
  • The City of Carlsbad
  • Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
  • Joey’s Dream Builders
  • Dairy Management Inc.
  • US REO Partners
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Jagermeister
  • River Spirit Casino
  • Champion Management
  • Fanatics
  • Little Rock Touchdown Club
  • Ultimate Ventures
  • TurnPoint Services
  • Uber Freight
  • Gypsum
  • Stirista
  • Telesystem
  • Hudson Financial
  • Bar Louie
  • The Zellman Group
  • Netflix
  • ESPN
  • Championship Auto Shows 
  • National Child ID
  • Tom Drake Roofing Company
  • Tri-State Enterprises



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