Tony Dorsett Childhood

Anthony Drew Dorsett was born on April 7, 1954 in Rochester, PA. He is the son of Myrtle and Wes Dorsett. Sports ran through the Dorsett family. Known for their speed, Tony’s older brothers set the trend and he followed in their footsteps in football. The Dorsett family lived in a small steel mill town outside of Pittsburgh. Tony had bigger dreams than to stay where he grew up. He wanted a different life and football provided a way for him to make it happen.

Tony Dorsett High School Stats and Awards

Dorsett attended Hopewell High School. Tony played on both sides of the ball. Although he was a small kid, his speed was a major weapon of his. By the time he finished his senior season, Dorsett was receiving major attention from college football programs across the country. However, the kid from Rochester decided to stay close to home and attend the University of Pittsburgh.

Tony Dorsett College Career Stats and Notes

Dorsett played for Pitt from 1973-76. He rushed for 6,526 yards and 59 TDs during his college career. Dorsett eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark all four years. He led the Panthers to two bowl game appearances.  The 1976 season was a remarkable year for the Pitt football program. Dorsett would rush for 2,150 yards and 22 TDs that year and was awarded the Heisman trophy, the first Panther to get that honor.  As a team, the Panthers would claim the national championship as they defeated Georgia in the 1977 Sugar Bowl to complete an undefeated 11-0 season. Dorsett was also a 3-time All-American and captured the Maxwell and Walter Camp awards as well.

Tony Dorsett NFL Career Stats and Notes

Dorsett was selected 2nd overall in the 1977 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He spent eleven of his twelve years in the NFL with the Cowboys. In 1988, he joined the Denver Broncos where he would retire after one season. Dorsett rushes for 12,739 yards in his stellar career, which put him 2nd all-time at the time he retired. He played in two Super Bowls, one with each team he played with. He was victorious with the Cowboys when they defeated the Denver Broncos 27-10 in Super Bowl XII. Dorsett was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

Monday Night Football: Tony Dorsett 99-Yard TD Run

Dorsett’s career was with the NFL’s golden era of running backs. He ran with greats such as OJ Simpson, Walter Payton, Earl Campbell, Larry Csonka and Franco Harris. He put together some great season such as in 1981when he rushed for 1,646 yards. In a crowded backfield of iconic runners who set so many rushing records, how do you stand out? By setting a NFL record that can never be broken!

On January 3, 1983 in the last game of the 1982 NFL regular season, Dorsett made history. In a Monday Night football game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Cowboys lined up at their own one yard line. Looking for some breathing room, Danny White handed the ball off to Dorsett in the end zone. After breaking a tackle, Dorsett sprinted towards the side line. He didn’t stop until he scored the longest rushing touchdown in NFL history: 99 yards! Since it can never be broken and only tied, which it was in 2018 by Tennessee Titans’ Derrick Henry, Dorsett will always remain in the record books.

List of Pro Football Hall of Fame Members