Selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 1959 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, Nick Pietrosante arrived in Detroit with immense expectations and immediately established himself as the premier fullback of his era. The power runner delivered a breathtaking debut season, rushing for 447 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry, capturing the UPI NFL Rookie of the Year award and instantly becoming a fan favorite at Briggs Stadium.

Pietrosante elevated his production to elite levels over the next two campaigns, anchoring the Lions' backfield with a punishing, downhill running style. In 1960, he earned his first career Pro Bowl selection after rushing for 872 yards—the third-highest total in the NFL—and scoring eight touchdowns. He followed that up with a second consecutive Pro Bowl nod in 1961, carrying the ball 211 times for 841 yards and five touchdowns while helping lead Detroit to an 8–5–1 record.

Alongside halfbacks like Gale Sayers and Danny Lewis, and behind guard John Gordy, Pietrosante was the focal point of head coach George Wilson's ground attack. His physical presence between the tackles forced opposing defenses to commit heavy boxes, opening up passing lanes for quarterback Milt Plum. He was also an accomplished pass-blocker and sneaky receiver out of the backfield, hauling in 143 receptions for 1,220 yards and three touchdown catches during his time in Detroit.

Pietrosante remained a steady contributor through the middle of the decade, logging seven total seasons in Honolulu Blue from 1959 through 1965. By the time he departed for the Cleveland Browns in 1966, he held the Lions' franchise record for career rushing yards—a mark that stood for nearly two decades until Billy Sims broke it in 1984.

Tragically, Pietrosante passed away from cancer in 1988 at the age of 50. His legacy as one of the toughest, most respected leaders in Detroit sports history remains secure, honored by teammates and fans alike for his blue-collar work ethic and classic fullback toughness.

Overall, in Detroit, Pietrosante had 938 rushing attempts for 3,933 rushing yards with 28 rushing touchdowns, 134 receptions for 1,323 receiving yards with two receiving touchdowns, and 5,256 yards from scrimmage.