GREEN BAY – Former Packers running back Elijah Pitts has been named one of three 2025 recipients of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Award of Excellence for assistant coaches.
Drafted in 1961 by the Packers, Pitts played that entire decade with Green Bay and was a member of all five of coach Vince Lombardi's championship teams. After his playing career ended, he worked as a scout for the Packers for two seasons before becoming an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Rams.
Coaching running backs, Pitts worked for the Rams (1974-77), Buffalo Bills (1978-80), Houston Oilers (1981-83), Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL (1984) and Bills again (1985-97), becoming an assistant head coach with Buffalo in 1992.
In Buffalo, Pitts was part of a coaching staff that led the Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances, and Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas was among the players he coached. Pitts also coached Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell in Houston.
The Hall of Fame's Awards of Excellence were established in 2022 to recognize significant contributors to the game in "behind-the-scenes" roles, including assistant coaches, athletic trainers, equipment managers, film/video directors and public relations directors.
This year's honorees will be recognized June 25-26 in Canton.
