Pihos, Peter L.
Football
b. Oct. 22, 1923, Orlando, FL
A tough, versatile player, Pihos is the only man ever to be named an All-Pro end on both offense and defense. As a sophomore at the University of Indiana in 1942, he caught a 25-yard touchdown pass to beat Minnesota, 7-0. The following season, he caught a touchdown pass against Wisconsin, then moved to fullback and ran for two touchdowns in a 34-0 victory.
Pihos entered military service in 1944 and returned to Indiana after World War II ended in 1945, playing most of the season at fullback. Granted an extra year of eligibility because of his military duty, he captained the team in 1946, then joined the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL.
He was an All-Pro end in 1948 and 1949, when only eleven players were chosen. The Eagles won NFL championships both seasons and Pihos caught a 31-yard touchdown pass when they beat the Los Angeles Rams, 14-0, in the 1949 title games. The team went to the two-platoon system in 1952, when Pihos was named to the All-Pro defensive team. In 1953 he became an offensive specialist and was an All-Pro three more times. He led the league in receptions all three years, catching 63 for 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1953, 60 for 872 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1954, and 62 for 864 yards and 7 touchdowns in 1955.
Pihos retired after the 1955 season. In his NFL career, he caught a total of 373 passes for 5,619 yards, a 15.1 average, and 61 touchdowns. In nine seasons, he missed only one game