Bobby Grier (2020) - Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame

Bobby Grier

Induction:
2020
Class:
1957

Pitt football letterman Bobby Grier was a two-way standout for the Panthers who made history in 1956 when he desegregated the Sugar Bowl. A fullback and linebacker, Grier was a three-year letterman at Pitt (1953-55). He led the Panthers in interceptions as a senior and was the leading rusher in the Jan. 2, 1956 Sugar Bowl against Georgia Tech. The Governor of Georgia strongly opposed Grier's participation in the game, as did the Board of Trustees from Georgia Tech, the other team slated to play in the Sugar Bowl; they elected to forfeit if Grier was not benched. However, Grier had strong support of his teammates and the University of Pittsburgh, who vowed "No Grier, no game." Support for Grier also came from students and football players from Georgia Tech, who protested strongly against a forfeit and succeeded in seeing Grier take to the field in New Orleans. Pitt lost the game, 7-0, mostly due to a disputed first quarter pass interference penalty which was called on Grier. Photographic evidence later strongly indicated the referee's call was incorrect. Following his football career, he served in the Air Force for 11 years and then worked in education until his retirement. Grier was named to the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame on January 1, 2019.