Tyler Palko tells Pitt seniors they get no 'do-overs,' he still cherishes Notre Dame memory

Tyler Palko could be conducting a business meeting, walking through an airport or lining up a putt on the golf course, but that game 20 years ago when he led Pitt to a 41-38 upset of Notre Dame — and the postgame interview on NBC-TV — still follows him.

“It’s an unbelievable icebreaker. I can’t believe people still remember it,” Palko said Friday before he addressed Pitt’s 21 seniors at the annual Kickoff Luncheon at Acrisure Stadium. “I have a hard time remembering what I ate for breakfast yesterday.”

Where was Tyler Palko when Pitt won the ACC championship in 2021? pic.twitter.com/YvPIviBb5e

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) August 23, 2024

On that day in Notre Dame Stadium (Nov. 13, 2004), Palko threw five touchdown passes — an unprecedented achievement against the Fighting Irish — and used an obscenity during the interview to punctuate the pride he felt for his teammates. The NBC announcer felt obliged to apologize to a nationwide audience.

“It’s fun to talk about,” said Palko, a West Allegheny graduate. “It’s not too fun when you’re talking to Notre Dame fans about it, but (to) college football fans in general and Pitt fans, it’s super fun. It was a wonderful experience. Great game, great win for the program. I don’t mind talking about it.”

That victory helped Pitt finish 8-4 and land in the Fiesta Bowl.

“Still have the goosebumps,” he said. “I wish I could put on the uniform again.”

But Palko, 41, was in Pittsburgh on Friday to talk about this year’s Pitt team, and his message to the seniors was simple: Don’t waste the opportunity.

“This is the start of their last year,” he told reporters before his talk. “You get no more do-overs. This is like the beginning of the end for these seniors. Really take advantage of it. Empty the tank. Leave no stone unturned. And just enjoy the ride, the ups and the downs this season is going to take.”

With the opener only a week away — Aug. 31 against Kent State — coach Pat Narduzzi revealed the names of the four players chosen by their teammates as captains: tight end Gavin Bartholomew, wide receiver Konata Mumpfield, offensive tackle Branson Taylor and linebacker Brandon George.

Palko was a three-year Pitt captain, so he has a unique perspective on what the distinction means.

“Your job is to be the steward of the direction of the coaching staff,” he said. “The best teams I’ve ever been on have been run by the captains. Set the example. You’re the leader of the team. When things are great, you have to keep them going. When things are bad, you can’t ever get too off track. Your job is to be the true North Star.”

Palko threw for 8,343 career yards (third in Pitt history at the time, fifth now) and 66 touchdowns. Only Kenny Pickett and Dan Marino have thrown for more scores. It’s no wonder that when he returns to town from his Kansas City home with his wife and four chldren, people remember him.

“It’s cool Daddy gets stopped in the street. Or, Daddy gets asked for an autograph,” Palko said. “They really like the fact that we get to watch the game from a suite and eat cookies and ice cream and chicken wings.”

In the real world, Palko is chief revenue officer and vice president of business development at Pittsburgh-based Solutions 21, a leadership development company. He credits sports and his time at Pitt for setting his path in life.

“I fell in love with sports a long time ago,” he said. “Whether you fall in love with sports or you don’t, it’s OK. But respect the game. It’s done so much for me. If you have the opportunity to fall in love with sports, hold onto that thing and cherish it.”

He said he likes what Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi has done with the program over the past decade.

“Duzz is from Youngstown. That’s probably the only place in Ohio that we claim. It’s more like Pittsburgh than (anyplace) else,” he said. “He’s a Pittsburgh guy now. He’s tough. He’s hard-nosed. Kind of no-nonsense type of guy. The kind of guy I would like to play for.

“This is a unique place. You have to have the right mentality to be a head coach here, especially for 10 years. If you don’t have that gene of Pittsburgh in you, you’re not going to last 10 years. The only bad thing I can say about coach Duzz is that he’s a defensive guy, and anytime I’ve played for a defensive guy, they would want to win the game, like, 7-6.”

Among those in the audience Friday was Palko’s father, Bob, a legendary high school coach at West Allegheny and Mt. Lebanon. Bob Palko is still heavily involved in football while working in Penn State’s player development department as the school’s director of high school relations.

“He’s still grinding,” Tyler Palko said of his dad. “He’ll die with a whistle in his mouth.”