Rookie of the Year: Nick Pietrosante, 1959

Fullback, Detroit Lions

Age:  22 (Sept. 10)

College: Notre Dame

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 225

Prelude:

An All-American in college, Pietrosante was taken in the first round of the 1959 NFL draft by the Lions, who were looking to improve their inside running game. While there were questions regarding his speed, he more than met expectations in his rookie year.

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 10 of 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 76
Most attempts, game - 17 (for 134 yds.) vs. Green Bay 11/26

Yards – 447 [16]
Most yards, game - 134 yds. (on17 att.) vs. Green Bay 11/26 

Average gain – 5.9 [2]

TDs – 3 [14, tied]
100-yard rushing games - 1

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 16      

Yards – 140

Average gain – 8.8

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 5

Yards – 98

Average per return – 19.6

TDs – 0

Longest return – 24 yards

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points – 18

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: Sporting News

Lions went 3-8-1 to finish fifth in the NFL Western Conference.

Aftermath:

Pietrosante rushed for a career-high 872 yards in 1960 and followed up with 841 yards in ’61. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following both seasons. While his numbers dropped off thereafter due to nagging injuries, he played seven years with the Lions and ran the ball 938 times for 3933 yards (4.2 avg.), making him the franchise’s all-time rushing leader at the time, and 28 touchdowns. He also caught 134 passes for 1323 yards. Pietrosante finished up his career as a backup for two years in Cleveland and ended up in 1967 with 4026 rushing yards.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year). 

[Updated 2/22/17]