Jimbo Covert
Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame
Pittsburgh
Sugar Bowl: 1982
Inducted: 2021
A first-team All-American as a junior in 1981, Jimbo Covert keyed Pitt’s run to the 1982 Sugar Bowl while protecting star quarterback Dan Marino from his line position. He continued that run in the Sugar Bowl, flawlessly protecting his quarterback, but the Panthers still trailed 20-17 with under a minute to go in the game. However, Covert and his linemates held strong to allow Marino to deliver the thrilling game-winning 33-yard TD pass on a fourth-and-five play with 35 seconds to go. Covert, who would earn consensus All-America recognition as a senior, was named to Pitt’s All-Time Football Team and would be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. After a nine-year NFL career with the Chicago Bears, he was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team and selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
