Former Wildcat Great Parilli to Sign Book
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2011) — Vito "Babe" Parilli, one of the greatest quarterbacks in Kentucky history, will autograph copies of his new biography outside of Commonwealth Stadium prior to Saturday’s game against Ole Miss, then again Sunday afternoon, Nov. 6, at the Lexington Public Library at 140 E. Main St. in downtown Lexington.
Parilli and the book’s author, former Lexington Herald-Leader writer Dick Burdette, will be available for autographs Saturday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Wildcat Refuge, located outside Gate 9 of the stadium. On Sunday, the two will greet folks and sign copies of the book at the central library from 1 to 4 p.m.
Titled “Kentucky Babe,” the book covers the life of the former Wildcat All-American. Parilli came to UK from Rochester, Pa. He played at UK from 1949-51, and along with Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, led the Wildcats to the most successful three-year stint in Kentucky football history. Parilli guided the Wildcats to the Orange, Sugar and Cotton Bowl in successive seasons, posting 9-3, 11-1 and 8-4 records, respectively.
With Parilli at the helm, UK’s 1950 team upset Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 1951, ending the Sooners’ 31-game winning streak. During those days, the national polls were final after the regular season and did not take into account bowl game results, hence UK’s No. 7 ranking in The Associated Press and United Press International polls. However, UK is the 1950 national champion according to the Sagarin Computer Ratings, which includes bowl results in its calculations.
Parilli was first-team All-America as a junior and senior. He set every Kentucky record for passing and total offense, many of which were still standing until Tim Couch came along nearly a half-century later.
Parilli enjoyed a 15-year professional career with the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns of the National Football League and the Oakland Raiders, Boston Patriots and New York Jets of the American Football League.
MEDIA CONTACT: Carl Nathe, (859) 257-3200; carl.nathe@uky.edu; Evan Crane, (859) 257-3838; wesley.crane@uky.edu