Philadelphia Eagles: 30 greatest players in franchise history
By John Buhler
player. 54. . TE/DE. (1947-55). Pete Pihos. 6
In case you forgot for some reason, Pete Pihos is one of the greatest tight ends to have ever played football, period. Back when he starred for the Indiana Hoosiers in college and the Eagles professionally, that position was known as just end. Regardless, Pihos caught a ton of passes in his multi-hall of fame career.
Originally drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round in 1945 when he was still playing for Indiana, Pihos would finally arrive in Philadelphia in 1947. By his second year in the league, Pihos was already an NFL champion as a member of the 1948 Eagles. He had 46 catches for 766 yards and 11 touchdowns. That was good enough for Pihos’ first of six first-team All-Pro nods.
The Eagles would repeat as NFL champions in 1949, as Pihos would earn another first-team All-Pro nod with 34 catches for 484 yards and four touchdowns. Then in 1950, Pihos made the first-ever Pro Bowl roster. He would make the all-star squad in each of his final six seasons with the Eagles. Pihos got better with age, as he led the league in receptions in all three of his final three seasons. He led the league in yards twice in 1953 and 1955 and in touchdowns in 1953.
After having to wait a few years, Pihos was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970. His Canton classmates include Jack Christiansen, Tom Fears and Hugh McElhenny. Pihos made the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1940s and is in the Eagles Hall of Fame. He retired with 373 receptions for 5,619 yards and 61 touchdowns over nine seasons, all with the Eagles.