YATESVILLE — Former Pittston Area great Jimmy Cefalo returned to his alma mater Friday night to present the school with a “golden football” during the game against Abington Heights.
Cefalo, in conjunction with the Super Bowl, the National Football League, and althetic company Wilson, presented longtime Pittston Area head football coach Bob Barbieri with the football. Barbieri accepted the football on Pittston Area’s behalf.
Footballs were given to all former Super Bowl participants and were to be presented to programs that show character and perseverance.
Cefalo, who played for Penn State and won Super Bowl XIX with the Miami Dolphins, said this was the first time he’s been back to the field since his final high school game.
“It’s a great honor to be back here,” he said. “The National Football League’s program is an important program and I’m glad to be part of it.”
The former Patriot is a member of the Pennsylvania Football News All-Century team and was a standout at Penn State from 1974 to 1977. He was named MVP of the 1976 Gator Bowl.
A third-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, Cefalo appeared in two Super Bowls and caught a 76-yard touchdown pass against the Washington Redskins, one of the longest in Super Bowl history.
In 1984, Cefalo caught the Dan Marino pass that broke the record for most touchdown passes in a season.
A meet-and-greet was held for Cefalo prior to the game at the Red Mill in Pittston. Cefalo then spoke to current Pittston Area players before the game. Cefalo was also an honorary captain and was part of the coin toss.
When asked about what Cefalo remembers most about his time playing high school, college and professional football, he came back to his roots.
“Most of my shining moments were on this field,” he said. “That’s where it all started. Here, it was special. It was with my friends and the guys on the playground. I think this is the shining moment.”
