Former Pitt DT Tony Siragusa Dies at 55
PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panther and Super Bowl-winning defensive tackle Tony "Goose" Siragusa died on Wednesday at the age of 55. He started for two years on head coach Mike Gottfried's Pitt defensive lines and, if not for an untimely ACL injury in 1988, would have likely been drafted in the first round of the 1990 NFL Draft.
The former Panther, Siragusa was a dominant force n the interior of the defensive line. His 6-foot-3, 330-pound frame made him almost immovable for opposing offensive linemen. During both his years as a starter, the Pitt defense held opponents to less than 20 points per game. The team's 1987 mark of 12.2 opposing points per contest was fifth in the country that year.
Siragusa spent for 12 years in the NFL playing for the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens and won a world championship with the Ravens in 2000.
He amassed 404 total tackles over the course of his professional career, including 14 for a loss. Siragusa added 22 sacks for good measure in addition to nine recovered fumbles and seven passes defended.
Siragusa was a fan favorite in Baltimore and made warm impressions with his intense eating habits and regular appearances on television and radio. In his post-playing days, Siragusa spent 13 years as an analyst for Fox Sports.
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and so much more!
Pitt Basketball Unveils New Jersey Numbers
The Athletic Tabs Kedon Slovis as Pitt Transfer to Watch
SirVocea Dennis The Latest Pitt Player Involved In Illegal Tampering
Pitt Players Will Receive Cut of Jersey Sales
Pitt Basketball Adds 19-Year Coaching Veteran to Staff
Pitt's William Jeffress, Nate Santos To Play On Foreign Tour
Pitt QB Invited to Coveted Manning Passing Academy
Former Pitt G to Compete in FIBA Championships
Pitt Offers 2024 QB Trained By Rod Rutherford
- Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt