April 5, 2006

Traumatic Brain Injury Info

Marshall Goldberg, one of the greatest running backs in college football history and a member of Pitt's famed "Dream Backfield" of the 1930s, died Monday at the age of 88 in Chicago, where he made his home.

    Goldberg played professional football for the Chicago Cardinals in 1939-42 and in 1946-48 and was named All-Pro six times, in a career that was interrupted while he served in the Navy in World War II.  His interception against the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the Cardinals' only NFL championship in 1947. The Cardinals retired his No. 99.

   During his storied career at Pitt, Goldberg gained 1,957 yards between 1936 and 1938, a school record that stood until Tony Dorsett broke it in 1974. Goldberg was a two-time All-American, third in the Heisman balloting in 1937, and runner-up for the Heisman in 1938.  In 1958, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. 

    Playing under legendary coach Jock Sutherland, Goldberg led Pitt to a three-year record of 25-3-2 and national championships in 1936 and 1937.

    "Marshall was a Pitt sports legend, a devoted member of the University's Board of Trustees, and an outstanding human being," said University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg. "We feel privileged to have played a role in Marshall's life as he was learning, growing, and building the foundation for all of the good things that followed his many contributions to Pitt athletics. We are saddened by the loss of a good friend, and our deepest sympathies are with Marshall's family."

    As a high school sophomore in Elkins, W.Va., Goldberg weighed just 110 pounds and was dubbed "Biggie" by his friends. But at Pitt he became become a strong and durable back who excelled not only as a runner but also as a passer, blocker and quick-kicker. Sutherland commented on Goldberg's resilient running style by saying, "He has been knocked out only once...and he ran to a touchdown on the next play."    

    In 1938, Sutherland had an embarrassment of backfield riches. Looking to maximize the breadth of his talent at the four backfield spots, Sutherland asked Goldberg to relinquish his starting left halfback post to the talented Dick Cassiano and move to fullback. Goldberg readily agreed. 

    With John Chickerneo operating as the No. 1 quarterback and Curly Stebbins entrenched at right halfback, what became known as the Panthers' "Dream Backfield" was in place. The group earned national acclaim, not only as the best backfield in the country that year, but also as one of the best to ever play the game. Fordham head coach Jimmy Crowley, one of Notre Dame's legendary Four Horsemen, said the Dream Backfield was even superior to his Irish corps.

    Following his college and professional playing days, Goldberg went on to become owner and president of a heavy-machinery company in Illinois.  In the 1980s, he served on Pitt's Board of Trustees, becoming an emeritus member in 1986.  While on the board, he served on the Athletics Committee, Student Affairs Committee and Academic Affairs and Libraries Committee. He also was on Pitt's School of Information Sciences Board of Visitors. 

    Pitt retired Goldberg's No. 42 jersey at halftime of the Panthers' 21-17 victory over Miami (Fla.) on Sept. 18, 1997. He is one of only eight football players at Pitt to receive that honor. 

    In the Panthers' final game at Pitt Stadium -- a 37-27 victory over Notre Dame on Nov. 13, 1999 -- Goldberg presided over the closing ceremony in which he "captured the spirit of Pitt Stadium" in a wooden chest.  Two years later, he released the spirit at Heinz Field when the Panthers hosted Miami on Sept. 27, 2001. The chest remains on display in Pitt's football practice facility.

        "Marshall Goldberg set a timeless example of the student-athlete ideal," Pitt athletic director Jeff Long said. "He was a fierce competitor on the field and a driven achiever off of it. His stature as one of the all-time best college football players is well documented. What people should also know is that he was a Hall-of-Fame caliber person and professional as well. Marshall Goldberg truly embodied what is great about the University of Pittsburgh. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones."

    Pitt football coach Dave Wannstedt called Goldberg "one of the crown jewels of both Pitt and college football."  "I walk past his retired jersey every day at our practice facility, and it is a reminder of the high standards he set on and off the field. He was not only an outstanding player but also a true professional and gentleman. Marshall will be missed, but his legacy will live on for a very long time."

     Goldberg was a member of 15 halls of fame and was named by Sports Illustrated to the 1930s College Football Team of the Decade.

     He is survived by his wife, Rita; a son, Marshall,; a daughter, Ellen Tullos, and two grandchildren.

   Private services will be held on Friday in Chicago.

To learn more about Tramautic Brain Injury please click here. 

    Memorial contributions may be made to:

    Marshall Goldberg Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury Research

    c/o Marilyn Kraus, M.D.

    University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Cognitive Medicine

    912 South Wood Street

    Room 830

    Chicago, IL 60612