Pat Abbruzzi
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| Pasquale "Pat" Abbruzzi | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: | 1931 |
| Place of birth: |  Warren, Rhode Island, USA |
| Date of death: | June 3, 1998 (aged 67) |
| Place of death: | Warren, Rhode Island, USA |
| Career information | |
| Position(s): | Running back |
| College: | University of Rhode Island |
| NFL Draft: | 1954 / Round: 30/ Pick 13 |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1955-1958 | Montreal Alouettes |
| Career highlights and Awards | |
| CFL All-Star: | 1955, 1956 |
| Awards: | 1955 CFL MOP |
Pasquale "Pat" Abbruzzi (1931 – June 3, 1998) was an outstanding American college and professional Canadian football running back and a successful high school football coach. Abbruzzi played collegiately for the University of Rhode Island (Class of 1955), and professionally for the Canadian Football League Montreal Alouettes for four years (1955-1959). He is considered to be one of the finest sports figures Rhode Island has ever produced.
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[edit] Early life and college career
Abbruzzi was born and raised in Warren, Rhode Island, and is the younger brother of former NFL player, Lou Abbruzzi. Abbruzzi attended Warren High School, and went on to the University of Rhode Island following graduation.
From 1951 to 1954, Abbruzzi played collegiately for the University of Rhode Island Rams football team, where he was an All-Star running back. He rushed 562 times for a school record 3,389 yards (6 yard per carry average) and 25 touchdowns. His greatest and record setting day was October 4, 1952 versus New Hampshire (a 27-7 win), when Abbruzzi rushed for 306 yards, including a 99 yard run from scrimmage, both school records. He also scored 3 touchdowns during the game. He was named All-Yankee Conference each of these years and named a New England All-Star from 1952 to 1954.
[edit] Professional football career
Drafted by the Baltimore Colts of the NFL in 1954, the 13th pick in the 30th round (352 overall) Abbruzzi chose to play professionally for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, mostly because they offered him a $500 bonus (which he used for his honeymoon).[citation needed]
During his four years with the Alouettes, 1955 to 1958, Abbruzzi played in 49 regular season games and 2 Grey Cup championship matches (both losses against the Edmonton Eskimos). He rushed 700 times for a total of 3,749 yards (5.4 yard average) with 25 rushing touchdowns and eleven 100 yard rushing games.
Arguably, Abbruzzi's greatest year was his first in the CFL, 1955, when he was part of a dynamic Als team, that contended for the 1955 Grey Cup. Abbruzzi rushed 182 times and lead the CFL in rushing with 1,248 yards (6.9 yard average) and in touchdowns with 17 (his longest rush was 69 yards). Abbruzzi was named the second recipient of the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award, as well as a CFL All-Star, at the conclusion of the 1955 season.
Abbruzzi continued as the Larks top rusher in 1956 with 1,062 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was named to a second consecutive CFL All-Star team in 1956.
In 1957, Abbruzzi had 809 yards.
In an injury plagued 1958 season that would turn out to be his last, Abbruzzi finished the year with 630 yards rushing.
[edit] Teaching and high school coaching career
After his professional football career ended, Abbruzzi returned to Rhode Island where he became a successful and much beloved Physical Education teacher and football coach at his high school alma mater, Warren High School. Abbruzzi coached eight division champions over 26 years, and also coached baseball in his spare time. During the 1970s, his football team set an interscholastic league record of 31 victories in a row. Known to all as "Doc", Abbruzzi was a legendary figure Rhode Island high school football.
Abbruzzi was named to the University of Rhode Island Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972, and the Rhode Island Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1976. He was a charter member of the Warren Athletic Hall of Fame (1998) and in 2005, Abbruzzi was named to the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Hall of Fame. He was later elected to the Sons of Italy Athletic Hall of Fame.
[edit] Death and legacy
Pat Abbruzzi died in June 3, 1998. His wife Philomena passed away in 2001. Both are survived by their children, son Michael and daughters Diane, Debbie, Mary, Julie and Jane, and ten grandchildren Jason, Jennie, Christopher, Amy, Stephanie, Michael Anthony, Lauren, Steven, Allyson, and Isabella.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Sam Etcheverry |
CFL's Most Outstanding Player 1955 |
Succeeded by Hal Patterson |
