Vito (Babe) Parilli ranks as one of
the all time star passing quarterbacks in pro football with 1,552 completions in 3,330 attempts for 22,681 yards and 178
touchdowns. What most fans outside the Pittsburgh area don’t realize
is that Babe served as quarterback coach of the Pittsburgh
Steelers for four seasons (1970-1973) and played a key role in
developing the talents of Terry Bradshaw, Terry Hanratty, and Joe
Gilliam. After starring at Rochester High School, Babe Parilli
became the first University of Kentucky gridder to earn All American
honors (1950-1951) during the regime of Coach Bear Bryant. Babe
led Kentucky teams to victories in the Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl
and won the MVP award in the 1952 College All Star Game. He was the
first draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1952 and played two
seasons for them before going to the Army. While in the service, Babe was
traded to the Cleveland Browns. In 1957, he went back to Green Bay
and in 1959 to Ottawa of the Canadian Football League. Babe finished
his playing career in 1969 after two seasons with the New York Jets
as a backup quarterback for
Joe Namath. He joined the Steelers'
coaching staff the next season.
Vito (Babe) Parilli ranks as one of
the all time star passing quarterbacks in pro football with 1,552 completions in 3,330 attempts for 22,681 yards and 178
touchdowns. What most fans outside the Pittsburgh area don’t realize
is that Babe served as quarterback coach of the Pittsburgh
Steelers for four seasons (1970-1973) and played a key role in
developing the talents of Terry Bradshaw, Terry Hanratty, and Joe
Gilliam. After starring at Rochester High School, Babe Parilli
became the first University of Kentucky gridder to earn All American
honors (1950-1951) during the regime of Coach Bear Bryant. Babe
led Kentucky teams to victories in the Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl
and won the MVP award in the 1952 College All Star Game. He was the
first draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1952 and played two
seasons for them before going to the Army. While in the service, Babe was
traded to the Cleveland Browns. In 1957, he went back to Green Bay
and in 1959 to Ottawa of the Canadian Football League. Babe finished
his playing career in 1969 after two seasons with the New York Jets
as a backup quarterback for