Pete Pihos: Indiana Hoosiers to Eagles and Hall of Fame

Pete Pihos dominated the gridiron on both sides of the ball, transforming from a versatile Indiana Hoosier into a legendary Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer.

Football Bio

October 22, 1923 -Orlando, Florida – Pete Pihos the fantastic end and later fullback from Indiana University was born.

The NFF’s website states that Pete was noted by multiple experts in 1943, including noted sports writer Grantland Rice, to be one of the top receivers in college football that season. He was an All-American in multiple polls in 1943 but then served his country in the war effort the following season. After serving in the U.S. Army, Pihos returned to Indiana to become the Hoosiers’ fullback in 1945 and 1946 and helped the team go 9-0-1 and win the Big 10 championship, the first in Indiana history. Pete had the most team receptions in 1942-43, led Indiana in rushing yards in 1946, and topped all Hoosiers in scoring in 1945-46. And in his senior season was the team’s Most Valuable Player.

The National Football Foundation selected Pete Pihos to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966. After graduation Pete was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1945, but again he served in the US military for two additional seasons before reporting to the Eagles.At first he was a two -way end in Philly but after a season of that the coaching staff asked him to concentrate on his offensive skill set.

According to his bio on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website, the Eagles, in 1952 found themselves in need of a defensive end. Knowing the skill set of Pihos they called on his versatility, and he not only took the field with the “D” but he earned All-NFL honors in doing so! Then for the remaining three years of his career, he switched back to offense and led the league in receiving all three seasons. Pete Pihos entered into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.

Pete Pihos secured his football legacy by seamlessly adapting to whatever his coaches needed, proving his elite athleticism at every position he played.

Accolades and Football Accomplishments

• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.
• Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966.
• 2× NFL Champion with the Philadelphia Eagles (1948, 1949).
• 6× First-team All-Pro (1948, 1949, 1952–1955).
• 6× Pro Bowl selection (1950–1955).
• Led the NFL in receptions for three consecutive seasons (1953–1955).
• Led the NFL in receiving yards twice (1953, 1955).
• Named to the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team.
• Consensus All-American at Indiana University in 1943.

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