Hall of Fame
Position: End/Fullback
Years: 1942-1943, 1945-1946
Place of Birth: Orlando, FL
Date of Birth: Oct 22, 1923
Place of Death: Winston Salem, NC
Date of Death: Aug 16, 2011
Jersey Number: 35
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205
High School: Chicago, IL (Austin HS)
Destined for enshrinement in two football Halls of Fame, college and professional, Pete Pihos wasted little time in establishing himself as one of Indiana's most-versatile gridiron greats. In 1943, "Big Dog" Pihos prompted sportswriter Grantland Rice to proclaim: "He's the best pass-receiver of the year." Michigan assistant coach Bennie Oosterbaan was equally impressed, calling Pihos the, "pick of the Big Ten ends." He made several All-America teams that season. Pihos served in the U.S. Army in 1944. He returned to Indiana and played fullback in 1945-46. He helped the 1945 team go 9-0-1 and win the Big 10 championship, the first in Indiana history. Pihos led Indiana in pass receiving in 1942-43, in rushing in 1946, and in scoring in 1945-46. He was the team's Most Valuable player in 1946. Pihos played with the Philadelphia Eagles at end from 1947-55 and led the National Football League in pass receiving three times.
