Fralic the Freak: The Offensive Lineman Who Crashed the Heisman Party
Posted in :
Born on Halloween, October 31, 1962, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bill Fralic was not known for tricks, but for devastating, highlight-reel pancake blocks. Fralic was so dominant as an offensive tackle for the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) that he achieved a feat unprecedented for a lineman: he finished in the Top 10 of Heisman Trophy balloting in two different seasons! This incredible achievement underscores his unique impact on the game, proving that a dominating performance in the trenches could earn the same national recognition usually reserved for quarterbacks and running backs.
Bill Fralic played his way to First Team All-America status in three consecutive seasons from 1982 to 84, and the selections were unanimous in 1983 & 1984 per the NFF. In fact, he was so good that he became the first offensive lineman in history to be in the top 10 of balloting for the Heisman Award in two different seasons. Bill Fralic’s No. 79 jersey was retired by the Pitt Panthers at halftime of his final home game in 1984, a 21-10 win over Tulane. Bill Fralic was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
Football Accolades & Accomplishments
- Heisman Trophy Finalist: Became the first offensive lineman in history to finish in the Top 10 of Heisman Trophy balloting in two different seasons (8th in 1983 and 6th in 1984).
- Three-Time First-Team All-American: Earned First-Team All-America status for three consecutive seasons from 1982 to 1984.
- Unanimous All-American: Was a unanimous First-Team All-American selection in both 1983 and 1984.
- Jersey Retired: His No. 79 jersey was officially retired by the Pitt Panthers at halftime of his final home game in 1984.
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999 (Sources also cite 1998).
- NFL Draft: Selected with the 2nd overall pick in the 1985 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.
