Pitt football’s Bobby Grier has died at the age of 91, the school announced over the weekend. Grier died on June 30th, but it was just made public over the weekend. The cause of death was not announced. As Pitt mourns the loss of a football legend, tributes are coming in from all over the college football world.
Grier is most remembered for being the first black player to play in the Sugar Bowl. He played fullback, linebacker, and defensive back for the Panthers from 1953-1955.
Fighting Racism
In his senior year, Pitt went 7-3 and made it to the 1956 Sugar Bowl to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Ironically the game was to be played on his 23rd birthday. But then-governor of Georgia, Marvin Griffin was an adamant segregationist. He tried to use his influence to keep Georgia Tech from playing in the game if Grier was going to play, and he tried to keep the Pitt defensive star out of the game.
The Pitt administration and Grier’s teammates said the Panthers would not play if Grier were not allowed to play. Grier was not allowed to stay in the same hotel as his white teammates. But he and the Panthers played, losing to GA Tech 7-0, despite Grier’s game-high 51 yards rushing.
Grier’s Legacy
Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke issued the following statement Sunday. “Bobby Grier lived a truly remarkable and impactful life that inspires in so many ways. The courage and dignity he showed in desegregating the Sugar Bowl stands as one of the most important moments not only in the history of the University of Pittsburgh but also the game of college football.”
In a written statement, Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi reflected on the first time he met Grier. “I had only been at Pitt a few weeks when I first met Bobby Grier. He was visiting our practice facility and I remember leaving a meeting so I could see him in person and shake his hand. Bobby is an absolute Pitt icon, and I was immediately struck by his humbleness and warmth. His pride in being a Pitt Man was on his sleeve, and that was so inspiring to me.”
Following his years at Pitt, Grier enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served 12 years, retiring from active duty as a captain before entering the private sector.
Grier was enshrined in the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame in 2019. He entered the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020.
The school announced Sunday the football team will wear a commemorative helmet sticker honoring Grier throughout the 2024 season.
