Al Dorow among 2023 Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame Class

Michigan State Athletics announced its 2023 Hall of Fame class on Wednesday, July 19. Among this year’s inductees is former Spartan football great Al Dorow, who will earn the honor posthumously following his passing in 2009 at the age of 80.

“Our family is very happy and excited that our father is going into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame,” said Dorow’s daughter, Jill, in the school’s press release. “He would have loved that honor and it would have meant everything to him. He loved being a Spartan.”

in 1947, the Imlay City, Mich. native arrived in East Lansing expecting to run track after winning the state championship in high hurdles, low hurdles and the pole vault. Michigan State football assistant coach Forest Evashevski convinced the four-sport athlete to try out for the football team.

Dorow initially earned a spot on the freshman team’s roster in 1947, but suffered a season-ending knee injury, also forcing him to miss the 1948 season as result.

Dorow returned to football in 1949 playing multiple positions for the Spartans. Michigan State quarterbacks suffered multiple injuries that season and Dorow was used in an emergency role. Following a 24-0 win over Penn State in the quarterback’s first game, Dorow earned the starting role for the following three seasons.

As the Michigan State starting quarterback, Dorow led the program to its first-ever National Championship in 1951. Dorow’s accomplishments during the 1951 season earned him First-Team All-American honors along with an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl.

The Spartan quarterback earn MVP Honors following a standout performance at the Senior Bowl, including an 86-yard interception return for a touchdown and a game-winning touchdown pass.

Additionally, Dorow took part in the annual College Football All-Star game on Aug. 15, 1951 against the reigning NFL Champions Los Angeles Rams. Dorow was joined by fellow Michigan State teammates Bob Carey, Don Coleman and Jim Ellis at the event.

Dorow, who played under Hall of Fame Coach Clarence ‘Biggie’ Munn from 1949-51 – finished his career with a 20-3 record. He won his final 15 games as the Spartans’ starting quarterback, leading the Spartans to back-to-back Top 10 finishes in his junior and senior seasons, respectively.

Dorow accumulated 1,875 passing yards on 125 completions. Dorow also tallied 19 touchdown passes, four rushing touchdowns, and three touchdown receptions.

Dorow enlisted in the United States Air Force following the 1951 season. The former Michigan State quarterback received All-Service Team honors in 1952 and 1953 while playing football during his service time. Dorow and his service team won the 1952 National Service Football Championship.

Dorow was drafted in the third-round of the 1952 NFL Draft by the Washington. After completing his military service, Dorow joined Washington in 1954, playing three seasons and earning a spot on the 1956 Pro Bowl roster.

In 1957, Dorow played for the Philadelphia Eagles, before playing the next two seasons in the Canadian Football League.

Dorow rejoined the NFL signing with the New York Titans in 1960. That season, Dorow received Second-Team All-AFL honors after throwing for 26 touchdowns. Dorow earned All-Pro honors the following season with the Titans.

Dorow joined Buffalo in 1962, calling it quits after the season due to injuries.

The former Michigan State quarterback compiled 572 completions, 7,708 yards and 64 touchdowns during his professional career.

Following his playing days, Dorow joined Hillsdale College as an assistant coach. Dorow returned to Michigan State as an assistant coach in 1965 working under Duffy Daughetry.

He then spent the next six-seasons with the Spartans program coaching Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame quarterbacks Steve Juday and Jimmy Ray.

Dorow was named head coach of the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger Cats in 1971.

The 2023 Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame inductees include: Guy Busch, Nicole Bush, Al Dorow, Stan Drobac, Rob Ellis, Nance Lyons, David Morgan, Emily Regan and Javon Ringer.