Detroit Lions Top 50: #39-35 with VIDEO

36. Nick Pietrosante, FB, 1959-1963

Nick Pietrosante was a very good fullback for the Detroit Lions. He was also a star fullback at the University of Notre Dame. Furthermore, Pietrosante has an award named after him at Notre Dame, given to the player best exhibiting the qualities of “courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication, and pride,” according to ESPN.

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The Lions selected Pietrosante in the first-round of the 1959 NFL Draft. He would go on to win rookie of the year.

He was selected to multiple Pro Bowls and he held all-time rushing record while at Detroit, (1959–1965).

Pietrosante finished his Lions career with a very respectable 4.2 yard rushing average despite being listed as a fullback. He set a then-franchise record for single-season rushing yards in 1960 with 872 and almost eclipsed his own mark in 1961 with 841 yards.