Tony Dorsett
Tony Dorsett is a former American football player who is widely considered one of the best running backs in the sport's history.
Football Player
April 7, 1954
70
Born on April 7, 1954, Anthony Drew Dorsett Sr. is a renowned former American professional football player. He played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos and is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in the sport’s history. Dorsett, a 5-11, 192-pound running back, gained fame at the University of Pittsburgh as a four-time All-American and the 1976 Heisman Trophy winner. He joined the Cowboys as their first-round draft pick in 1977 and had a remarkable career with the team, contributing to their Super Bowl XII victory. Dorsett was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994. Besides his football career, he has been involved in philanthropic projects and served as an analyst for ESPN’s college football coverage.
Less known about Tony Dorsett is his struggle with memory loss and cognitive issues since retiring from football. In 2013, he was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. Since then, he has become an advocate for raising awareness about the dangers of head injuries in football and has spoken out about the need for better player safety measures.
Some notable achievements and works of Tony Dorsett include:
1. Gaining 745 rushing yards and scoring five touchdowns in just nine games during the limited 1982 season.
2. Producing the NFL’s longest touchdown run of all time in the final game of the 1982 season.
3. Playing 12 seasons in the NFL, accumulating a total of 12,739 rushing yards and scoring 91 touchdowns.
4. Being selected to play in four Pro Bowls throughout his career.
5. Being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
In summary, Tony Dorsett’s remarkable football career, philanthropic efforts, and advocacy for player safety have cemented his legacy as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.