University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Hall of Famer Marshall Goldberg Passes Away
4/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 5, 2006
Marshall Goldberg, one of the greatest running backs in college football history and a member of Pitt's famed "Dream Backfield" of the 1930s, died Monday at the age of 88 in
Goldberg played professional football for the Chicago Cardinals in 1939-42 and in 1946-48 and was named All-Pro six times, in a career that was interrupted while he served in the Navy in World War II. His interception against the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the Cardinals' only NFL championship in 1947. The Cardinals retired his No. 99.
During his storied career at Pitt, Goldberg gained 1,957 yards between 1936 and 1938, a school record that stood until Tony Dorsett broke it in 1974. Goldberg was a two-time All-American, third in the Heisman balloting in 1937, and runner-up for the Heisman in 1938. In 1958, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Playing under legendary coach Jock Sutherland, Goldberg led Pitt to a three-year record of 25-3-2 and national championships in 1936 and 1937.
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As a high school sophomore in
In 1938, Sutherland had an embarrassment of backfield riches. Looking to maximize the breadth of his talent at the four backfield spots, Sutherland asked Goldberg to relinquish his starting left halfback post to the talented Dick Cassiano and move to fullback. Goldberg readily agreed.
With John Chickerneo operating as the No. 1 quarterback and Curly Stebbins entrenched at right halfback, what became known as the Panthers' "Dream Backfield" was in place. The group earned national acclaim, not only as the best backfield in the country that year, but also as one of the best to ever play the game. Fordham head coach Jimmy
Following his college and professional playing days, Goldberg went on to become owner and president of a heavy-machinery company in
Pitt retired Goldberg's No. 42 jersey at halftime of the Panthers' 21-17 victory over
In the Panthers' final game at Pitt Stadium -- a 37-27 victory over Notre Dame on Nov. 13, 1999 -- Goldberg presided over the closing ceremony in which he "captured the spirit of Pitt Stadium" in a wooden chest. Two years later, he released the spirit at Heinz Field when the Panthers hosted
"Marshall Goldberg set a timeless example of the student-athlete ideal," Pitt athletic director Jeff Long said. "He was a fierce competitor on the field and a driven achiever off of it. His stature as one of the all-time best college football players is well documented. What people should also know is that he was a Hall-of-Fame caliber person and professional as well. Marshall Goldberg truly embodied what is great about the
Pitt football coach Dave Wannstedt called Goldberg "one of the crown jewels of both Pitt and college football." "I walk past his retired jersey every day at our practice facility, and it is a reminder of the high standards he set on and off the field. He was not only an outstanding player but also a true professional and gentleman.
Goldberg was a member of 15 halls of fame and was named by Sports Illustrated to the 1930s College Football Team of the Decade.
He is survived by his wife, Rita; a son, Marshall,; a daughter, Ellen Tullos, and two grandchildren.
Private services will be held on Friday in
Memorial contributions may be made to:
Marshall Goldberg Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury Research
c/o Marilyn Kraus, M.D.
Room 830
