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.
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 Lietenant 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 was an All-American at Indiana University, as a defensive end. He was drafted in the 5th 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 Pete 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.
Pete 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]
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 is shooting and editing 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 while creating awareness to such a devastating disease.
1954 La Salle University Men's Basketball • Grover Cleveland Alexander • Charles Barkley • Bill Campbell • John Chaney • Jumbo Elliott • Eddie Gottlieb • Lefty Grove • Carl Lewis • Bob Levy • Tommy McDonald • Pete Pihos • Harvey Pollack • Guy Rodgers • Cathy Rush • Vic Seixas • Jay Sigel • Ed Snider • Joe Verdeur
v·d·ePhiladelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team (2007)
United States
