Pete Pihos
| No. 35 | |
 | |
| Date of birth | October 22, 1923 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Orlando, Florida |
| Date of death | August 16, 2011 (aged 87) |
| Place of death | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | End |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| College | Indiana |
| NFL draft | 1945 / Round: 5 / Pick: 41 |
| Drafted by | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1947–1955 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career stats | |
| |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |
 United States |
| Service/branch |
 U.S. Army |
| Years of service | 1944–1946 |
| Rank |
 2nd Lieutenant |
| Unit |
 35th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars |
World War II |
Peter Louis Pihos (October 22, 1923 – August 16, 2011) was a professional American football player in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles.[1] He was a high school junior when his mother moved the family to Chicago. His father was a murder victim, and when a suspect was acquitted, Pete decided to become a lawyer. He was just one semester short of a law degree when he became disenchanted with the idea.
World War II
Pihos served in the United States Army during World War II in the 35th Infantry Division under George S. Patton. He took part in the D-Day campaign. Commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant on the battlefield, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Silver Star medals for bravery. He was quoted in a documentary film as always caring for the men who served with him.[2]
Playing career
Pihos attended Austin High School in Chicago, then was an All-American at Indiana University, as an end. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 1945 NFL Draft by the Eagles, but two years of military service prevented him from joining the team until 1947. During his nine seasons of play, he missed just one game.
Immediately after Pihos joined the Eagles, the team marched to its first divisional championship. In the playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Eastern Division crown, he blocked a punt to set up the first touchdown in the Eagles' 21–0 win. Philadelphia won three straight divisional championships and then back-to-back NFL titles by shutout scores. In 1948, the Eagles defeated the Chicago Cardinals, 7–0. One year later, Pihos caught a 31-yard touchdown pass in the Eagles' 14–0 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Pihos led the NFL in receiving from 1953 through 1955 and earned first-team All-Pro or All-League honors six times and was named to six Pro Bowls.[3]
Death
Pihos died at age 87 after succumbing to Alzheimer's disease.[1]
Films
The documentary short Dear Dad by his daughter Melissa Pihos [4] explores the effects of Alzheimer's by juxtaposing photos and footage from his days as a player for the Philadelphia Eagles with images of him as he fights the disease. A feature-length documentary Pihos: A Life in Five Movements was produced throughout 2011 and 2012.[5] Melissa Pihos also created PIHOS A Moving Biography in March 2011. Through film and dance, she explores aspects of her father's life and his struggle with Alzheimer's disease. In Summer 2012, She toured the production to various cities including Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Philadelphia and New York City as an Alzheimer's Association benefit events to increase awareness of the disease.
References
- 1 2 Davis, Nate (16 August 2011). "Hall of Fame WR Pete Pihos passes away". USA Today. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
- ↑ "Obituary:Pete Louis Pihos". Winston-Salem Journal. August 17, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
- ↑ Rosenthal, Gregg (6 June 2013). "Pro Football Hall of Famers who fought on D-Day". National Football League. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ↑ "Dear Dad opens 2010 Carolina Film and Video Festival". February 10, 2010.
- ↑ "Dear Dad". Retrieved August 20, 2011.