Scott Pioli: Elijah Pitts 'Should Be Considered For The Pro Football Hall of Fame'

Scott Pioli believes the NFL legendary running back, special teams ace, and coach should be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kyle T. Mosley | Jun 15, 2023

Scott Pioli: Elijah Pitts 'Should Be Considered For The Pro Football Hall of Fame' /

His enshrinement at the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) legitimized Elijah Pitts' stellar, but often overlooked, legendary football career. Former NFL executive Scott Pioli and current member of the eleven BCFHOF selection team told Shaq Griffin on Good Morning Football that he was "obsessed" with learning more about Elijah Pitts during the voting process. As a self-professed "football nerd," Pioli spoke glowingly of Pitts' contributions to the National Football League.

"He's a guy who went to tiny little Philander Smith College in Little Rock," Pioli said. "He was a 13th-round pick in 1961. He's one of the only players who were on Vince Lombardi's five championship teams. Again, he played for 11 years, but then he went on to coach in the NFL for another 24 years. He was also on the Buffalo Bills, four teams that went to the Super Bowl. An incredible player. He scored two rushing touchdowns in Super Bowl I."

The running back became a member of the BCFHOF Class of 2023 with Leslie Frazier (Alcorn State University), Henry "Killer" Lawrence (Florida A&M University), Albert Lewis (Grambling State University), Jim Marsalis (Tennessee State University), Tyrone McGriff (Florida A&M), Johnnie Walton (Elizabeth City State University), and Coach Pete Richardson (Southern University, Winston Salem State University).

Pitts, an eleven-year veteran, played in the NFL football for Green Bay Packers (1961–1969), Los Angeles Rams (1970, New Orleans Saints (1970), and again with Green Bay Packers (1971). Pioli remarked, "He was a special teams captain for Vince Lombardi. Think about how tough that's got to be."

Despite winning Super Bowl and NFL Championship rings and coaching in the league for over 20 years, Pitts has yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. "Elijah Pitts was an incredible contributor to the NFL, and he's actually a guy that I believe should be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Pioli told Griffin.

Hopefully, the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters were watching and listening to consider Elijah Pitts as a senior candidate.

We shall see.

Published Jun 15, 2023

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: