University of Pittsburgh Athletics
From Pitt to Canton: Panthers Who Became Pro Football Hall of Famers
2/7/2026 4:55:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Following Larry Fitzgerald Jr.'s first-ballot selection into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pitt Football's legacy in the sport, and its place among the game's immortals, remains undeniable.
With Fitzgerald's selection, Pitt now boasts 11 Pro Football Hall of Fame members, tied for the third most among all colleges. It's a testament to a tradition built on excellence, and an impact that stretches from young men in Blue and Gold to legends in Gold Jackets.
These Panthers didn't just reach the highest level of football, they helped shape its history. Below is a look at the Pitt greats who have already received the game's ultimate honor:
Jimbo Covert was called to Canton as part of the special 20-member Centennial Class of 2020 commemorating the NFL's 100th season. The sixth overall pick in 1983 by the Chicago Bears, Covert earned consensus All-Rookie recognition and spearheaded a Bears attack that led the NFL in rushing yards in four consecutive seasons (1983-86), with Walter Payton calling Covert "the best offensive tackle in the NFL." He was a vital part of Chicago's famed 1985 team that went 15-1 and defeated New England in Super Bowl XX, 46-10. A four-time All-Pro, Covert played eight seasons in Chicago and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s.
The fourth overall pick in 1985 by the Minnesota Vikings, Chris Doleman played 15 seasons in the NFL and holds status as one of the most productive pass rushers of all time. Doleman was an eight-time Pro Bowler, earning six selections as a member of the Vikings and one each with the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers. He was a first-team All-Pro three times and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s. Upon his retirement in 1999, Doleman's 150.5 career sacks ranked fourth in league history. He was enshrined in 2012.
Mike Ditka became the first tight end elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he was enshrined in 1988. Chicago's No. 1 draft pick in 1961, Ditka had a 12-year playing career with the Bears (1961-66), Philadelphia Eagles (1967-68) and Dallas Cowboys (1969-72). The 1961 NFL Rookie of the Year, he was All-NFL in each of his first four seasons and made the Pro Bowl in each of his first five. He was part of Chicago's 1963 NFL title team and the Cowboys' 1971 squad that won Super Bowl VI. Ditka later spent 11 seasons as Chicago's head coach (winning Super Bowl XX) and three seasons as head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
When Tony Dorsett retired from the NFL after 12 seasons (1977-88), he was the league's second all-time leading rusher with 12,739 yards. He became the first player to win the Heisman Trophy, a collegiate national championship and a Super Bowl, and to earn Hall of Fame enshrinement at both the college and pro levels. Taken by the Dallas Cowboys second overall in 1977, he topped 1,000 yards in eight of his first nine seasons and played in two Super Bowls (helping Dallas win Super Bowl XII) and four Pro Bowls. Dorsett received his "Canton Call" in 1994.
A third-round draft choice of Washington in 1981, Russ Grimm went on to start 11 seasons (1981-91) for the famed "Hogs," which included another Pitt great, Mark May. The dominating offensive front helped lead Washington to four Super Bowl appearances, including victories in Super Bowls XVII, XXII and XXVI. Grimm was voted to four Pro Bowls (1983-86) and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s. He received his induction in 2010.
A 1981 second-round draft pick by New Orleans, Rickey Jackson spent 15 seasons in the NFL (1981-95) as one of the most disruptive defenders in the game. Upon his retirement, he ranked third all-time in sacks (128), second in fumble recoveries (28) and fourth in forced fumbles (41). Jackson made six trips to the Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro four times. He helped elevate the Saints from doormat to contender, and he played his final two seasons in San Francisco, helping the 49ers win Super Bowl XXIX. Jackson was called to Canton in 2010.
When he finished his legendary 17-year career with the Miami Dolphins, Dan Marino was the most prolific passer in NFL history. Upon retirement, Marino held 25 NFL records and was the career leader in pass attempts (8,358), completions (4,967), passing yards (61,361) and touchdown passes (420). Miami's first-round pick in 1983, Marino was the NFL Rookie of the Year and became one of the league's winningest quarterbacks, totaling 147 regular-season victories. A nine-time Pro Bowler and eight-time All-Pro, Marino was enshrined in Canton in 2005.
A third-round draft selection of New England in 1995, Curtis Martin spent three seasons with the Patriots (1995-97) before joining the New York Jets (1998-2006). At the time of his retirement, he ranked fourth all-time among NFL rushers with 14,101 yards. Martin was only the second player to begin his career with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. In 2004, he was the NFL rushing champion with 1,697 yards. Martin was named to the Pro Bowl five times and earned All-Pro honors three times. He was inducted into Canton in 2012.
Dubbed "Revis Island" for his lockdown cornerback play, Darrelle Revis became Pitt's 10th Pro Football Hall of Fame member as part of the Class of 2023. Selected 14th overall by the New York Jets in 2007, Revis played 11 NFL seasons, making seven Pro Bowls and earning All-Pro honors four times. Over his career, Revis totaled 29 interceptions, defended 139 passes and recovered 12 fumbles. The Aliquippa native won Super Bowl XLIX with the New England Patriots and also played for Tampa Bay and Kansas City over 145 career games.
Joe Schmidt set the gold standard for NFL middle linebackers during his 13-year career (1953-65) with the Detroit Lions. A seventh-round draft pick, Schmidt earned All-Pro honors 10 times, played in 10 Pro Bowls (tied for a Lions record) and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1950s. He served as team captain for nine seasons and totaled 24 career interceptions. The Lions won two NFL titles during Schmidt's career. He later coached the team for six seasons, leading Detroit to its only playoff appearance of the 1970s. Schmidt was inducted in 1973.
Selected third overall in the 2004 NFL Draft, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. spent his entire 17-year career with the Arizona Cardinals and quickly established himself as one of the most productive receivers in NFL history. He posted 58 catches for 780 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie before breaking out in Year 2 with 103 receptions (most in the NFL) and 1,409 receiving yards. Fitzgerald topped 100 catches in a season five times, surpassed 90 receptions in three other seasons, and led the league in receiving touchdowns twice (2008-09). He finished with 1,432 receptions for 17,492 yards, both second all-time in NFL history, while ranking sixth in career receiving touchdowns (121). Fitzgerald helped lead Arizona to Super Bowl XLIII following the 2008 season and delivered a historic postseason run that year with 30 receptions for 546 yards and seven touchdowns. An 11-time Pro Bowler, he was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team, and he shared the 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
