One of the former teammates I asked him about on Thursday, was the "Diesel", big Pete Duranko. Mike quietly mentioned, he's not going to be with us for much longer. And then I got an email forwarded to me about Pete passing away on Friday, after a courageous public battle with 'Lou Gehrig's Disease'.
Coming out of Johnstown, Pennsylvania he headed to Notre Dame in 1963 as one of the most beloved high school footballers ever, athletically so gifted he was able to walk across the practice field on his hands.
"Absolutely, Pete was the best," Penn State All-American Jack Ham, who became an NFL Hall of Fame linebacker with the Steelers, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette a few years ago. "He was my hero. He was a 220-pound fullback (in high school) and he just destroyed people. Guys would bounce off him. It was almost comical." Another Penn State All-American, Steve Smear, said " Absolutely, Pete was the best from our area." Just 7 days before his passing, Pete was able to attend his high school reunion. The email that was sent along to me, came from Notre Dame University's Cappy Gagnon, a student in the Sports Publicity Office back in the days (who proudly traces his roots to Rimouski, Quebec.) It is reprinted here with permission. From: Cappy Gagnon Sent: July-09-11 7:19 AM Subject: Pete Duranko, R.I.P. St. Peter had an easy call last night when Pete Duranko showed up at the Pearly Gates. One of the genuine good guys and the strongest man I've ever known succumbed to the horrible disease of A.L.S. after waging a courageous battle for more than a decade. There will be a lot more mirth in heaven with Pete telling stories, singing the Fight Song in Polish (he said that he didn't know all the words, but since nobody else knew Polish, it didn't matter), playing the spoons, and telling story after story! A giant of a man when he enrolled at ND, Pete was the leading scorer in Pennsylvania, as a full back. After one year at the position here, he ended up being switched to the defensive line by Ara, where he made All American and later starred in the NFL, with the Denver Broncos. After he graduated, Pete was often asked to "show the quarter trick". He could fit a quarter through his ND class ring, his hands were that large. He could walk across the football field on his hands, which was a prodigious feat for a man of his size. His heart was the biggest part of his body however and he demonstrated that many times over the years, but never so much as when he was heroically fighting the only battle he ever lost. I once told him about a local lady who had A.L.S. and he started communicating with her. She credited Pete with lifting her spirits. When he emailed me he always told me that he had been a lucky man, which is quite reminiscent of Lou Gehrig, for whom this terrible disease was named. At the time of his death, some friends of Pete were trying to make arrangements for him to come back to campus this fall for the Reunion of the 1966 National Championship Team. We're going to miss you, Pete........... http://www.wndu.com/sports/headlines/125255854.html Pete was injured in 1971 and his starting Defensive End position was taken by one of the most colourful players of the era, Lyle Alzado. Pete retired after the 1974 season, got a Master's Degree and became a steel executive. A wonderful story about Pete, with comments from his widow Janet and former NCAA and pro teammate George Goeddeke is at http://tribune-democrat.com/sports/x971906997/MIKE-MASTOVICH-Larger-than-life-figure-will-be-missed The following comment was posted about that story, which sums up the love and respect everyone felt for Pete Duranko, whose accomplishments extended far beyond his gridiron glory: I have known Pete Duranko since 1959 and he was still the same guy until the day he died. I had planned to visit him this week as I would be in town again...now my visits back home won't be the same without him...he was a very special human being. His exploits off the field exceeded his on field achievements! He was an ALL PRO in attitude, courage, fortitude and a genuine great guy! His head never got to big for his helmet and to me he exemplified a true BMHS J-Towner! Bobby Harbrant Millsboro, DE |
