John Gesek

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John Gesek
No. 63, 67, 75
Position:
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:282 lb (128 kg)
Career information
High school:San Ramon Valley (Danville, California)
College:Sacramento State
NFL draft:1987 / Round: 10 / Pick: 265
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:123
Games started:59
Player stats at PFR

John Christian Gesek Jr. (born February 18, 1963) is an American former professional

Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Sacramento State Hornets and was selected in the 10th round of the 1987 NFL draft. Gesek won two Super Bowls with the Cowboys over the Buffalo Bills
as a starting offensive lineman.

Early years

Gesek attended San Ramon Valley High School, as a freshman and senior, transferring to Bellflower High School for his sophomore and junior seasons. He was a two-way player on the offensive and defensive line.

After graduation he moved on to

Sacramento State University during its non-scholarship Division II years. He played defensive end
, tallying 34 tackles and 4 sacks.

As a junior, he moved to

offensive line that helped post 400.5 yards per game and won the Western Football Conference
title.

In 1996, he was inducted into the Sacramento State Football Hall of Fame. The school also created the annual "John Gesek Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award" in his honor.

Professional career

Los Angeles Raiders

Gesek was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 10th round (265th overall) of the 1987 NFL draft.[1] As a rookie, he appeared in 3 games (one start), before being placed on the injured reserve list on September 7 with a knee injury.[2]

The next season after

center, but was placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury on November 30, missing the last 3 contests.[3]

In

Plan B free agency, Gesek became expendable and was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fifth round draft choice (#124-Ben Coates) on September 3, 1990.[4][5]

Dallas Cowboys

In 1990, he passed Kevin Gogan on the depth chart and became the starter at right guard in the fifth game of the season. Gesek was the starter at

right guard during his first three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, including Super Bowl XXVII
.

In

Emmit Smith
lead the league with 365 carries for 1,563 rushing yards.

In 1992, he started all 16 games at right guard. The offensive line helped the offense rank fourth in the league in total offense, fifth in rushing and passing. It also contributed to Smith winning his second consecutive NFL rushing title with 1,713 yards. He was a part of the XXVII winning team.

In

center, the team settled on Gesek for the playoffs run and Super Bowl XXVIII.[6]

His role in one of the greatest

guard Nate Newton
, and Gesek became a sought after free agent and opted to change teams.

Washington Redskins

After fielding offers from several teams, including the Los Angeles Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, he signed a contract on March 16,

right guard.[7]

Gesek was the starting

center during his 2 seasons with the team. In 1995, he started 12 games at center and four at right guard, despite being limited with pain in his neck and arm, caused by a bulging disk in his neck, which eventually forced him to retire.[8] On August 20, 1996, he was waived injured and was replaced with a platoon of Jeff Uhlenhake and Cory Raymer. Gesek was ultimately granted his tenth year through arbitration when it was found the Redskins released him while injured.[9]

Personal life

After retiring from the NFL, Gesek became an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and founder of Optimus Capital Advisors, where he continues in his role as a financial advisor and firm principal. He is married to Gina and has four grown children, daughters Presley, Audra, Payton and son Tanner, as well as granddaughter Evaliah.[10]

References

  1. ^ "1987 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  2. ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  3. ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  4. ^ "Sports Transactions". Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  5. ^ "Beuerlein Returns, but Evans Is Waived : Raiders: Roster cutdown day claims former USC quarterback. Hunley, Davis join list of unemployed". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  6. ^ "Gesek to start at center". Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  7. ^ "Cowboys's Gesek inks with Skins". Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  8. ^ "Shanahan's Broncos Beat 49ers, 9-7". Los Angeles Times. July 30, 1995. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  9. Associated Press News
    . Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  10. NFL.com
    . Retrieved January 7, 2018.
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