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Athletics

Dan Marino: Hometown Hero, NFL Legend

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Dan Marino was a hometown hero who grew up in the shadow of the Cathedral of Learning before going on to stardom at Pitt and the National Football League. Many consider him to be the greatest quarterback of all time.

While at Pitt from 1979 to 1982, Marino broke nearly every major passing record in school history. He led Pitt to four consecutive top 10 finishes and one of the most dramatic endings in bowl history when he threw a 33-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds left to give the Panthers a 24–20 victory over the University of Georgia in the 1982 Sugar Bowl.

A first-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1983, Marino went on to gain recognition as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history with a record-breaking 17-year career. He retired following the 1999 season as the league’s all-time leader in passing attempts, completions, yardage, and touchdowns.

Pitt retired Marino’s number 13 jersey. He is both a College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.

A highly regarded studio host for CBS’s NFL telecasts, he was named a Pitt special trustee in 2008. That same year, he delivered Pitt's commencement address.

Dan Marino