Tony Dorsett Question

[Thomas82]

I recently found out that TD was the first football player in history to win an NCAA National Championship and Super Bowl in consecutive seasons. I immediately tried to do some research and see if anybody else has accomplished it and couldn't find anybody else. Am I missing somebody?

 

[Longboysfan]

No.

But the NCAA Championship was mythical back then.

Just on a vote.

 

[DFWJC]

I'm really surprised someone that happened to be on a college national champ team the year before hasn't been on a SB winning team the next year, at the very least in a backup role.

For example, not a single Alabama, Auburn, FSU, or Ohio State player recently hasn't at least ridden the bench on a SB champ the next year? really odd

 

[Eric_Boyer]

No.

But the NCAA Championship was mythical back then.

Just on a vote.

not too much more mythical then picking a 4 team playoff

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Yes. Bryan Stork (FSU 2014/Pats 2015), Courtny Upshaw (Bama 2011/Ravens 2012), Randall Gay (LSU 2003/Pats 2004) and TD (Pitt 1976/Cowboys 1977).

There may be more but those are the ones I have found.

 

[Thomas82]

Yes. Bryan Stork (FSU 2014/Pats 2015), Courtny Upshaw (Bama 2011/Ravens 2012), Randall Gay (LSU 2003/Pats 2004) and TD (Pitt 1976/Cowboys 1977).

There may be more but those are the ones I have found.

Thanks!!

 

[CooterBrown]

Tony won the Heiseman and played for the national champion Pitt Panthers and followed that up with a Superbowl win the next season. The real trivia was that his final game with Pitt, the won that clinched the national championship was played in the same stadium as the Superbowl win.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Thanks!!

Sure thing.

 

[MichaelValentino]

Yes. Bryan Stork (FSU 2014/Pats 2015), Courtny Upshaw (Bama 2011/Ravens 2012), Randall Gay (LSU 2003/Pats 2004) and TD (Pitt 1976/Cowboys 1977).

There may be more but those are the ones I have found.

Nice research.

It probably goes without needing to be said, but there has been no player who was a key cog in winning the NCAA championship (mythical or otherwise) and the Super Bowl in consecutive years other than Dorsett. Matt Cavanaugh was Pitt's QB in '76 but the Panthers were clearly a run-dominant team. They went 12-0 with only one victory under 10 points. Dorsett was the focal point and teams still could not shut him down.

Then, after the Cowboys had lost to Pittsburgh in SBX and lost a divisional round game the following year, in '76, Dallas realized it needed a great tailback to win another SB. Tampa selected Ricky Bell out of USC and then the Cowboys jumped at the chance to pick Dorsett at no. 2. He gave the Cowboys instant explosiveness on offense. Do the Cowboys win SBXII with Preston Pearson and Robert Newhouse getting most of the carries? Maybe, as the Cowboys still had one of the best passing games in the NFL and they did have the league's best defense that year (all due respect to Denver), but having Dorsett no doubt gave Staubach a breakaway threat he had not enjoyed since Duane Thomas in the '71 season.

 

[CooterBrown]

Of those who have done it, I bet TD was the only Heiseman winner.

 

[DallasEast]

not too much more mythical then picking a 4 team playoff

Side topic: I'm one of the minority (I think) who would enjoy FBS football adopt a similar bracket to those used by every other NCAA sport. A 16-team bracket would be ideal but I would accept an 8-team playoff compromise. Hopefully, my post will not attract the oh woes...

Oh woe, it would be too many games for the players (even though the total games played would not be that dissimilar from FCS and other NCAA divisions).

Oh woe, it would mess with the tradition of bowls and the bowl money (even though top bowls and school payouts have been incorporated into the current 4-game playoff system already).

Etc., etc., blah blah blah.

/rant

 

[KJJ]

No.

But the NCAA Championship was mythical back then.

Just on a vote.

Still counts as a championship.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Of those who have done it, I bet TD was the only Heiseman winner.

He's also the only player to win the NC, SB and Heisman, ROY.

 

[Seven]

He's also the only player to win the NC, SB and Heisman, ROY.

In the snow.................uphill, both ways.

Top THAT.

 

[plasticman]

When I think about Tony Dorsett I remember the time that he broke so free from the line that he had a chance to high five Tony Hill on his way to the endzone.

It was outrageous.

 

[Ranching]

Yes. Bryan Stork (FSU 2014/Pats 2015), Courtny Upshaw (Bama 2011/Ravens 2012), Randall Gay (LSU 2003/Pats 2004) and TD (Pitt 1976/Cowboys 1977).

There may be more but those are the ones I have found.

Wha, Wha , Whaaaa.....Debbie Downer! Lol

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

In the snow.................uphill, both ways.

Top THAT.

In Blazing hot heat..... you forgot the BLAZING HOT HEAT Damn It!

 

[jobberone]

I recently found out that TD was the first football player in history to win an NCAA National Championship and Super Bowl in consecutive seasons. I immediately tried to do some research and see if anybody else has accomplished it and couldn't find anybody else. Am I missing somebody?

No. The most exciting player I've ever watched season to season. Never knew when he was going to make a big play.

 

[Thomas82]

Nice research.

It probably goes without needing to be said, but there has been no player who was a key cog in winning the NCAA championship (mythical or otherwise) and the Super Bowl in consecutive years other than Dorsett. Matt Cavanaugh was Pitt's QB in '76 but the Panthers were clearly a run-dominant team. They went 12-0 with only one victory under 10 points. Dorsett was the focal point and teams still could not shut him down.

Then, after the Cowboys had lost to Pittsburgh in SBX and lost a divisional round game the following year, in '76, Dallas realized it needed a great tailback to win another SB. Tampa selected Ricky Bell out of USC and then the Cowboys jumped at the chance to pick Dorsett at no. 2. He gave the Cowboys instant explosiveness on offense. Do the Cowboys win SBXII with Preston Pearson and Robert Newhouse getting most of the carries? Maybe, as the Cowboys still had one of the best passing games in the NFL and they did have the league's best defense that year (all due respect to Denver), but having Dorsett no doubt gave Staubach a breakaway threat he had not enjoyed since Duane Thomas in the '71 season.

Good post!!

 

[Seven]

In Blazing hot heat..... you forgot the BLAZING HOT HEAT Damn It!

LOL!!

I screw that up every time................I get confused, with the snow comment and all.