University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Seven Pitt Greats Named to Sporting News All-Decade All-America Teams
8/5/2026 11:19:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Seven legendary Pitt football players have been selected to Sporting News All-Decade All-America teams as part of the publication's 140th-anniversary celebration.
Pitt's honorees span five decades, from the 1960s through the 2010s:
- 1960s: Fred Cox and Mike Ditka
- 1970s: Tony Dorsett
- 1980s: Bill Fralic and Hugh Green
- 2000s: Larry Fitzgerald
- 2010s: Aaron Donald
Sporting News selected All-Decade teams beginning with the 1960s, recognizing college football's finest players at each position. The publication is one of five organizations used by the NCAA to determine consensus All-America status each season.
1960s: Fred Cox and Mike Ditka
Kicker Fred Cox and tight end Mike Ditka earned places on the Sporting News 1960s All-America Team.
Ditka starred at Pitt from 1958-60 and earned consensus first-team All-America honors as a senior. A member of both the College Football and Pro Football halls of fame, he helped redefine the tight end position before embarking on a distinguished NFL playing and coaching career.
Cox played at Pitt from 1960-62 before enjoying a 15-year NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings. He remains one of the most accomplished kickers in professional football history.
1970s: Tony Dorsett
Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett was selected to the Sporting News 1970s All-America Team.
Dorsett completed one of college football's most celebrated careers by rushing for more than 2,000 yards in 1976 and leading Pitt to a 12-0 record and the national championship. He won the Heisman Trophy that season and concluded his collegiate career as the sport's all-time leading rusher.
A four-time All-American, Dorsett became the first player in major college football history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons. He is enshrined in both the College Football and Pro Football halls of fame.
1980s: Bill Fralic and Hugh Green
Offensive tackle Bill Fralic and defensive end Hugh Green were named to the Sporting News 1980s All-America Team.
Fralic was a three-time first-team All-American at Pitt from 1982-84 and twice finished among the top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting—an exceptional achievement for an offensive lineman. His dominance inspired the term "Fralic Rule," referring to a penalty created to discourage offensive linemen from driving defenders downfield.
Green was a three-time consensus first-team All-American and finished second in the 1980 Heisman Trophy voting, one of the highest finishes ever achieved by a defensive player. He ended his Pitt career with 460 tackles and 53 sacks.
2000s: Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald earned a spot at wide receiver on the Sporting News 2000s All-America Team.
Fitzgerald produced one of the greatest seasons by a receiver in college football history in 2003, totaling 92 receptions for 1,672 yards and 22 touchdowns. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting and won the Walter Camp Award and Biletnikoff Award.
In only two seasons at Pitt, Fitzgerald compiled 161 receptions for 2,677 yards and 34 touchdowns. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame following a decorated professional career with the Arizona Cardinals and will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend.
2010s: Aaron Donald
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald was selected to the Sporting News 2010s All-America Team.
Donald authored a historic senior season in 2013, winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award. A unanimous first-team All-American, he finished the season with 28.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
