John Gonzaga
Offensive lineman / Defensive end | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | March 6, 1933 Martinez, California, U.S. | ||
| Died: | May 17, 2007 (aged 74) West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, U.S. | ||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||
| Weight: | 247 lb (112 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Mount Diablo (CA) | ||
| College: | None | ||
| Undrafted: | 1956 | ||
| Career history | |||
| Career NFL statistics | |||
| |||
| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||
John Louis Gonzaga (March 6, 1933 – May 17, 2007) was an
offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Detroit Lions. He also was a member of the Denver Broncos in the American Football League (AFL). He did not play college football
.
Early years
Gonzaga attended
sandlot football
.
Professional career
San Francisco 49ers
On October 21,
undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers, though he never played a down of college football and he was working in a steel mill
.
As a rookie, he played at
left tackle
, where he started for two seasons.
Dallas Cowboys
Gonzaga was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the
1960 NFL Expansion Draft and became the first starter at right defensive end
in franchise history, while also leading the team in sacks.
On August 21,
offensive guard Bob Grottkau and rookie Houston Entwine.[1]
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions moved him to left tackle in his first two seasons with the team and then changed him to left guard. After being a five-year starter, he was released on August 30, 1966.[2]
Denver Broncos (AFL)
On September 6,
. He played right guard in 11 games.Personal life
Gonzaga came from a family of 14 children and was of
West Bloomfield, Michigan, after battling an illness.[4]
References
- ^ "Grottkau Traded To Cowboy Eleven". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Ex-Navy Ace, Vets Released by Pros". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Former Bronco John Gonzaga dies". 21 May 2007. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Former Denver Broncos player, John Gonzaga, dead at 74". Retrieved April 30, 2020.