Card: 1948 Leaf Gum Co., Card #16

Team/Position: Philadelphia Eagles / Wide Receiver, Defensive End

Cost: $15.25

I had yet another chance to add a 1948 Bowman to my collection, but once again decided on the Leaf alternative.  It’s not that the ’48 Bowman set is ugly or the ’48 Leaf set is gorgeous, it’s just a preference thing.

The Leaf Gum Co., set offers a little bit of colour and a couple different variations; whereas the Bowman offering is a simple, but gorgeous, black and white photograph.  If you’re interested in checking out the Bowman, here’s the link:

Pete Pihos was the epitome of an early football player:  hard-nosed, intelligent, and more than anything he played the game the right way.  Pihos was a two-way star at Indiana before leaving to dedicate a year of his life to the U.S. Army in 1944.  Upon Pihos’ return in 1945, he helped lead Indiana to it’s first Big-10 title en route to a 9-0-1 season.  The only blemish that year was Pihos and Howard Brown’s first game after returning from WWII (a tie w/ Northwestern in the second game of the season). He led the Hoosiers in scoring in both 45 and 46 and was eventually named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966.

Pihos began his nine-year professional career, a career in which he’d miss only one game, with the Philadelphia Eagles.  Originally, Pihos was considered a two-way player before primarily switching to offense.  However, with Philly in dire need of a defensive end, Pete switched to the defensive side of the ball in 1952 and didn’t miss a beat as he put together an All-Pro season.

On offense, Pihos wasn’t spectacularly quick or fast, but possessed terrific hands and the physicality to repeatedly out-muscle defenders.  Pihos helped the Eagles to their first Championship Game in his rookie season, in large part due to a blocked punt that he returned for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Eagles would go on to win three consecutive division titles and two championships after Pihos’ arrival.

Pete Pihos would make the Pro Bowl from 1950 to 1955 (inclusively) and take home six All-Pro or All-NFL awards.  He also lead the league in receiving in 1953 through 1955.

On his career, Pihos amassed over 5600 yards on 373 receptions and will forever be tied to the early Eagles with Steve Van Buren and Chuck Bednarik.