Aliquippa Football

Much like his fellow Aliquippa alum Mike Ditka, Darrelle Revis went on to star at the University of Pittsburgh before being selected in the NFL Draft. Unlike Ditka, Revis was born and bred in Aliquippa and many locals consider him one of their own. Darrelle attended Aliquippa in the late 1990's and early 2000's where he was a key player on the 2003 state championship team while playing for current legendary coach Mike Zmijanac who himself is part of the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame. After Revis' days playing in what is affectionately called, "The Pit" or Carl A. Aschman Stadium in Aliquippa, Revis dominated college football during his 3 years at the University of Pittsburgh where he was a Sporting News Freshman All-American, First-Team All-Big East in 2005 and 2006, and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in 2006. He was selected by the New York Jets 14th overall in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft where he became a 5 time Pro Bowler, 3 time All Pro, and AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. Despite his early success, Revis was unceremoniously traded to the Tampa Bay Bucs in 2013 where he played 1 season before being released after the season. Darrelle has since signed contract with the New England Patriots for the 2014 season where another former Quips defensive back Ty Law, enjoyed much success.

Anyone that asks Peyton Manning will soon find out that Tajuan "Ty" Law was an integral piece of the Super Bowl Champion Patriots teams in the early 2000's. Ty attended Aliquippa in the late 80's into the early 90's before enrolling at the University of Michigan and earned first-team All-America in 1994. Law was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL draft where he became a 5 time Pro Bowler, 2 time All-Pro, and 3 time Super Bowl Champion. His first title included a 47-yard interception return for TD in 2001 (Super Bowl XXXVI). After the 2003 season in which Ty Law helped lead a ferocious Patriots defense, Law intercepted future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning 3 times to help the Patriots advance to their third Super Bowl and second victory (Super Bowl XXXVIII). While Law earned a 3rd Super Bowl ring (Super Bowl XXXIV) after the 2004 season, he was injured and unable to particpate in the playoffs. Ty Law last played for the Denver Broncos in 2009 and will soon be eligible possible election to the the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

As perhaps the first in a long line of famous Aliquippa football players, "Da' Coach" Mike Ditka was born in nearby Carnegie but his time in Aliquippa helped forge the legend. Mike played for Quips Coach "King" Carl Aschman in the 1950's and was known for his grit and never quit attitude. After graduation Mike attended the University of Pittsburgh where he became the first college first-team All-America, NFL first-round draft pick, player to score in the Super Bowl, and coach of a Super Bowl Champion. After excelling on the gridiron for the Chicago Bears (winning the NFL Championship in 1963), Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys, Ditka coached the Bears to an overwhelming victory, 46-10 in Super XX over the New England Patriots. He also went on to coach the New Orleans Saints from 1997 - 1999. Mike Ditka was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. You can see more Mike Ditka memorabilia and enjoy a juicy steak at one of his famous restaurants.