We are 89 days away from college football kickoff. Have you enjoyed the countdown so far? The countdown keeps rolling on and today we have two great players, Mike Ditka and Ross Browner. Let see what cool new football facts we can learn today.
Mike Ditka Days Away From College Football Kickoff
Iron Mike
Iron Mike Ditka grew up in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh. He played sports all the time and did well in school. “My father wanted me to be good enough to get a college scholarship and not have to work in the steel mill,” he explained in his National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame induction biography.
At the University of Pittsburgh, Ditka, who stood 6-foot-3 and weighed 215 pounds, was a three-year letterman and starter for the Panthers. He went on to become one of the best tight ends in college and pro football.
In 1958, as a sophomore, he led Pitt with 18 catches for 252 yards and averaged 42.5 yards per punt. The next year, as a junior, he again led the team with 16 catches for 249 yards and averaged 38.3 yards per punt.
In 1960, as team captain, Mike led the team with 11 catches for 229 yards and was named a unanimous All-America two-way end. He was also selected for Pitt’s All-Time team.
After college, he was picked in the first round by the Chicago Bears. In his first season with the team, Ditka earned NFL Rookie of the Year honors by catching 56 passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns. He went on to play for the Bears, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Dallas Cowboys. His talent and determination became the benchmark for tight ends. Later, Ditka coached the Chicago Bears from 1982 to 1991 and led the 1985 team to a Super Bowl victory.
Another Great #89 Ross Browner
Ross Browner started for the Irish for four years, playing in 1973 and then from 1975 to 1977. He was named a unanimous All-American in his last two seasons and is considered one of the most decorated defensive players in football history.
In 1976, Browner won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior or defensive lineman, and UPI named him Lineman of the Year. He earned the UPI Lineman of the Year honor again in 1977, becoming the only player to win it twice. That same year, he also won the Lombardi Trophy as the nation’s best lineman and the Maxwell Award as the nation’s best player. From 1970 to 1979, Browner was the only lineman to win the Maxwell. In 1977, he finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
In 1976, Browner won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior or defensive lineman, and UPI named him Lineman of the Year. He earned the UPI Lineman of the Year honor again in 1977, becoming the only player to win it twice. That same year, he also won the Lombardi Trophy as the nation’s best lineman and the Maxwell Award as the nation’s best player. From 1970 to 1979, Browner was the only lineman to win the Maxwell. In 1977, he finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
While at Notre Dame, Browner was 6-foot-3 and weighed 247 pounds, known for his speed and strength. This helped Notre Dame achieve a 39-7 record, including 11-0 in 1973, 8-3 in 1975, 9-3 in 1976, and 11-1 in 1977. The team won national championships under Hall of Fame coaches Ara Parseghian in 1973 and Dan Devine in 1977 while Browner was at Notre Dame.
Browner finished his college career with 340 tackles, which set a school record. He also had 77 tackles for loss, 12 fumble recoveries, 10 deflected passes, and two blocked kicks. He still holds school records for career tackles by a defensive lineman, tackles for loss in a single season 28 in 1976.
Browner also scored a touchdown and made two safeties. He scored his touchdown on November 1, 1975, by blocking a Navy punt and recovering it in the end zone. His first safety was on September 22, 1973, against Northwestern, when he blocked a punt and the ball rolled out of the end zone. The second safety came on November 22, 1975, against Miami (FL), when he tackled the Miami quarterback in the end zone. Browner was selected eighth overall in the 1978 NFL Draft. He played nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and one season with the Green Bay Packers
