Another Former Pitt Football Player Makes the NFL

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AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt

Editor's Note:  It was originally stated that Chris Blewitt was the all-time Pitt scoring leader, but the article has been updated to show Tony Dorsett holds that title.

What was originally joked about as potentially the worst kicker name in history, now has its spot in infamy among Pitt Football fans.  "Blewitt", is known as the player that made the kick to beat No. 2 Clemson in an all-time Pitt upset in Death Valley in 2016.  His 48-yard field goal as time expired shocked the nation and cemented Chris Blewitt in Pitt's history books as a game, and a name, to never be forgotten.

Today, it was announced that the Washington Football Team would be releasing their kicker Dustin Hopkins and promoting kicker Chris Blewitt from the practice squad to fill his role.  And this occurring before the weekend where Pitt is slated to face Clemson in one of the Panthers' most anticipated games in recent history.

Blewitt was the kicker for the Pitt Panthers from 2013-2016, where he was a starter all four years.  As the Pitt kicker, he made 55 of 79 field goal attempts, connecting at a 70% clip.  When his college career was over, he finished as Pitt's all-time field goals leader, as well as ranked #2 in all-time scoring with 363 points.  Pitt's most recent kicker Alex Kessman would go on to pass Blewitt in field goals made with 69, but Blewitt still led Kessman in points.  Tony Dorsett is the scoring leader all-time with 378.

Blewitt was signed to Washington's practice squad just last week, and a week later they have opted to use him as their full-time kicker going forward.  Blewitt had a brief stint with the Chicago Bears following the infamous Cody Parkey "double doink" kick two years ago, but was ultimately cut before the next season started.  This weekend against the Green Bay Packers will be his NFL debut.

This season, Hopkins was 12/14 on field goals and 10/12 on extra points.  Having been with the team for over six seasons, this seems like an odd time to release the kicker.  His numbers aren't terrible, especially in an era when kickers seem to be missing more than ever.  I'm sure there will be another team willing to give Hopkins a job this season, but for now, it will be Blewitt's job to lose in Washington.