Tony Dorsett is an American former professional football player, widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in the history of American football. Born on April 7, 1954, in Rochester, Pennsylvania, Dorsett achieved remarkable success during his career in the National Football League (NFL).
Dorsett entered the NFL after an illustrious college career at the University of Pittsburgh, where he became a Heisman Trophy-winning running back in 1976. He was subsequently selected as the second overall pick in the 1977 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, with whom he would spend the majority of his professional career. Known for his exceptional speed, agility, and vision on the field, Dorsett quickly established his dominance as a running back in the league.
Throughout his NFL tenure, which spanned from 1977 to 1988, Dorsett showcased his remarkable skills, accumulating various accolades. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and earned All-Pro honors on multiple occasions. Moreover, Dorsett played a key role in the Dallas Cowboys' success, helping them win Super Bowl XII in 1978.
With a career total of 12,739 rushing yards, Tony Dorsett became the eighth player in NFL history to surpass the 10,000 rushing yards milestone. His impressive achievements and contributions to the sport led to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
Off the field, Dorsett has been an advocate for raising awareness about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease often associated with repetitive head injuries experienced by football players. Dorsett's name remains synonymous with greatness in professional football, and he continues to be recognized as one of the most talented running backs in the history of the sport.
