As the No. 23 Pitt Panthers get ready for a huge game at Heinz Field Thursday night against North Carolina, they will honor one of their former greats during the contest.
Pitt athletic director Scott Barnes announced that the Panthers will honor 2015 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Ruben Brown at halftime of Thursday night’s contest.
“We are thrilled to bring Ruben back to Pittsburgh and celebrate his well-deserved induction into the College Football Hall of Fame,” Barnes said in a press release. “Ruben is an all-timer both as a player and as a person. It will be a truly special moment when he hears the cheers of Pitt fans once again this Thursday night.”
Brown was a star offensive tackle for the Panthers from 1991-94 and is the 24th Pitt player or coach to earn induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. While at Pitt, Brown earned All-Big East honors three times and, as a senior, was a first team All-American.
After his Pitt career Brown was selected No. 14 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1995 NFL Draft. Brown had a stellar NFL career, being named to eight consecutive Pro Bowls as an offensive guard from 1996-2003.
He finished his career by playing four seasons with the Chicago Bears. He helped lead the Bears to a Super Bowl appearance and in the process tied Dan Marino for the most Pro Bowl appearances by a Pitt player since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi named Brown an honorary captain for Thursday night’s game.
“Ruben’s pride in the University of Pittsburgh is obvious,” Narduzzi said. “He is a true ‘Pitt Man’ and I know everyone is extremely proud of him.”
Brown will receive his formal induction into the College Football Hall of Fame on December 8 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
“This honor goes well beyond me,” Brown said. “Everyone at Pitt shares this recognition. I’m so indebted to the many people who mentored, coached and guided me as a person and player over the years. I’m thrilled to accept this honor on everyone’s behalf and could not be more humbled and appreciative.”
Photo Credit: Buffalo Bills
