The Great Cowboy Runner: Tony Dorsett - The Best?

Tony Dorsett was born in Rochester,finished his college career with 6,082 total rushing
Pennsylvania on April 7, 1954. Dorsett was veryyards, then an NCAA record.
attached to his mother, Myrtle. She was the oneHis record with the Panthers was legendary. He is
responsible with sending Tony to church as well asarguably one of the greatest running backs in the
running and maintaining a steady household. Tony'shistory of college football. He is one of the few
dad was named West Dorsett. He worked in afootball players on the planet to win a collegiate
steel mill for thirty years. Tony Dorsett grew upNCAA Championship and then go on to win a
with a very athletic build and was often clockedSuper Bowl in back to back years.
at amazing speeds much faster than his peers. InIn the 1977 NFL draft, Tony Dorsett was
high school he gained 1,034 yards rushing as aselected in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys.
junior. His record of excellence continued unabatedHe played with them through 1987. He rushed for
when he moved up a step to the University ofmore than 1,000 yards in eight of his first nine
Pittsburgh.seasons. In 1981 he rushed for 1646 yards. This
At the University of Pittsburgh he took thewas his most productive season. Dorsett had a
position as a running back. While in college, Dorsettcareer total of 12,033 yards in Dallas before being
helped Pittsburgh win a national title in 1976. Hetraded to the Denver Broncos in 1988. Dorsett
also won the Heisman Trophy and the Walterwas elected to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Camp Award, which is the Player of the Year. Notand the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
to mention he won the Maxwell Award and theTony also went in to the Dallas Cowboy Ring of
UPI Player of the Year along the way. He also ledHonor in 1994 as well.
the nation in rushing with 1,948 yards. He also