From the Vault: John Congemi
John Congemi helmed the Pittsburgh Panthers offense after Dan Marino’s departure and built an impressive resume of his own, finishing his Pitt career second only to Marino in total passing yards. Born in Youngstown, Ohio and raised in Florida, Congemi went on to a professional career in the Canadian Football League before becoming one of the top college sports broadcasters in the country.
Watch Cignetit in action, completing the game winning pass in a 17-16 win over Florida State in 1983.
He played for the Panthers from 1983 to 1986, earning accolades for his impressive performances on the field including the 1984 Fiesta Bowl MVP despite the Panthers loss in the game. During his college career, Congemi led Pittsburgh to several notable victories and bowl appearances, cementing his status as one of the top quarterbacks in the program's history.
After college, Congemi pursued a professional football career in the CFL, playing for the Toronto Argonauts and the Ottawa Rough Riders, Miami Hooters, Baltimore Stallions, and the Saskatchewan Rough Riders.
Following his playing days, Congemi transitioned into broadcasting, where he became a respected football analyst and commentator, including being named one of the inaugural broadcasters of ESPNU in 2005. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with his on-field experience, has made him a valuable voice in sports media, particularly in college football coverage.
