Parisi, Tony
item
- Player Name
- Parisi, Tony
- Type
- Athlete/Builder
- Sport
- Hockey
- Inducted
- 2006
- Era
- 1900 – 1970
- Description
- Tony Parisi was born in Niagara Falls on March 30, 1933. He proved to be an exceptional athlete and a true builder of sport. From 1947 - 1949, Tony played minor hockey and was a goalie for the Niagara Falls Junior “B” Hockey Team. In 1949, Tony was drafted by Galt of the Major Junior Ontario Hockey Association (O.H.A.). The following years he played Junior “A” hockey in Barrie, Kitchener and Belleville. After this experience, Tony went overseas where he played hockey for England, Sweden, Italy and Czechoslovakia. Upon returning home, Tony played in the International Hockey League (I.H.L.), the North American Hockey League (N.A.H.L.) and the American Hockey League (A.H.L.). In 1962, Tony was called up to play for the Pittsburgh Hornets hockey team. In 1965, the Pittsburgh Hornets team folded and Tony was hired by Mr. Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (N.F.L.) as the equipment manager. Having a keen eye, and knowledge of equipment, Tony ordered special non-slip shoes for the Pittsburgh Steelers for their 1975 Super Bowl game against Minnesota. He knew the weather would be bad, however, at the beginning of the game, only Terry Bradshaw and Franco Harris wore the special shoes. After the first quarter, Tony had all the players change their shoes. The team players and Mr. Rooney indirectly credited Tony for winning the Super Bowl. Tony is the only person in Canada who has four Super Bowl rings. Tony Parisi has never forgotten his roots and he treats everyone who visits him from Niagara Falls, like royalty. Still a Canadian citizen, Tony has never changed and is now enjoying retirement ;
- Subject
-
Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame
Awards
Portraits - Biographical
Sports - Recreation - Leisure
