Tony Dorsett (b.1954,) fully Anthony Edwards Dorsett Sr., is an American former professional football player widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. Known for his exceptional speed, agility, and vision on the field, he earned legendary status during his career with the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos.
Born in Rochester, Pennsylvania, Dorsett was raised in a family that encouraged his athletic pursuits. He attended Hopewell High School, where he excelled as a star running back, drawing attention from college recruiters. He went on to play college football at the University of Pittsburgh, where he became a standout player. Winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1976, he solidified his status as one of college football’s elite players and set numerous records during his time at Pitt.
Dorsett was selected as the second overall pick in the 1977 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, making an immediate impact as a rookie. In 1977, he was named the NFL Rookie of the Year after rushing for over 1,000 yards. He played for the Cowboys 1977–87, earning four Pro Bowl selections and helping the team secure a Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XII (1978.) His most memorable performance came in 1983 when he set an NFL record with a 99-yard touchdown run, an achievement that still stands. After leaving the Cowboys, he played one final season with the Denver Broncos in 1988 before retiring. His autobiography is Running Tough: Memoirs of A Football Maverick (1989.)
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To succeed you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you.
—Tony Dorsett
Everything starts with yourself—with you making up your mind about what you’re going to do with your life. I tell kids that it’s a cruel world, and that the world will bend them either left or right, and it’s up to them to decide which way to bend.
—Tony Dorsett
Topics: Decisions
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