Elmira Southside great Gary Tyra talks start of football season

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) - We caught up with an Elmira football legend before the start of the season.

Gary Tyra, an Elmira Southside graduate and 1976 National Champion at The University of Pittsburgh, was in town and we made sure to talk plenty of football. Tyra is best known as "Taz" to the football world especially in his beloved Pittsburgh. This season, the Pitt Panthers kickoff the season this Saturday vs. Miami of Ohio at 12:30 PM.

The “Taz” nickname was given to Tyra for his explosive linebacker play on defense by the late-great Panthers coach Johhny Majors, Gary continues to ignite a true fire in the Twin Tiers. On top of being a proud member of the 1976 National Championship team who went a perfect (12-0), Tyra played in the Sun Bowl for the Panthers in 1975. That game, Pitt beat Kansas 33-19 and Pitt to a perfect season one year later.

Watch the interview with Tyra from Tuesday afternoon as he discusses the great feeling that football is back for the year. Click on the video player to watch the story.