Pasquale "Pat" Abbruzzi, was an 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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Abbruzzi was born and raised in Warren, Rhode Island, and is the younger brother of former NFL player, Lou "Duke" Abbruzzi. Abbruzzi attended Warren High School, and went on to the University of Rhode Island following graduation.
As a member of the University of Rhode Island Rams football team, from 1951 to 1954, he was an all star running back. He rushed 562 times for a school record 3389 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 TDs. He was named All-Yankee Conference each of these years and named a New England All-Star from 1952 to 1954.
Drafted by the Baltimore Colts of the NFL in 1954, the 13th pick in the 30th round (352 overall) Abbruzzi chose the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League for a pro career, mostly because they offered him a $500 bonus (which he used for his honeymoon.)
In four years with the Alouettes, 1955 to 1958, he played 49 regular season games and 2 Grey Cup matches (against the Edmonton Eskimos.) He rushed 700 times for a total of 3749 yards (5.4 yard average) with 25 rushing TDs and eleven 100 yard rushing games. His greatest year was his first, 1955, when he was part of a dynamic Als team, rushing 182 times and leading the league with 1248 yards (6.9 yard average) and 17 TDs (his longest rush was 69 yards.) He continued as the Larks top rusher in 1956 with 1062 yards and 20 TDs. He had 809 yards in 1957 and 630 in 1958.
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 and was named to a second consecutive CFL All-Star team in 1956. In 1957, Abbruzzi had 809 yards, but an injury plagued 1958 season would turn out to be his last, when Abbruzzi finished the year with 630 yards. In July 1959 he was traded to the Calgary Stampeders for Veryl Switzer during training camp but was released before the start of the 1959 regular season.
After his professional career, Abbruzzi became a successful and much beloved Physical Education teacher and football coach at his alma mater, Warren High School in Warren, Rhode Island. He 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" he was a legendary figure Rhode Island high school football.
In 1995 he joined on as an assistant coach at Mt. Hope High School where he was able to coach his grandson, Jason Proulx.
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 Pat was named to the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Hall of Fame. He was later elected to the Sons of Italy Athletic Hall of Fame.
Pat Abbruzzi died on June 3, 1998. His wife Philomena passed away in 2001. Both are survived by their children, son Michael Abbruzzi and daughters Diane Gempp, Debbie Abbruzzi, Mary Patriarca, Julie Abbruzzi and Jane Patterson, ten grandchildren Jason Proulx, Jennie Friese, Christopher, Amy & Stephanie Gempp, Michael & Lauren Patriarca, Steven Foster and Allyson & Isabella Patterson, and two great-grandchildren Jackson Friese and Penelope Proulx.
| Preceded by Sam Etcheverry |
CFL's Most Outstanding Player 1955 |
Succeeded by Hal Patterson |