| No. 7, 10 | |
| Born: | (1974-07-04)July 4, 1974 (age 50) Miami, Florida, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| College | Pittsburgh |
| NFL draft | 1998, undrafted |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1998–1999 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2000 | Indianapolis Colts* |
| 2001 | Buffalo Bills*[1] |
| 2002–2003 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| *Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career stats | |
| |
Pete Gonzalez (born July 4, 1974) is an American former professionalfootballquarterback. He played college football for thePittsburgh Panthers.
Gonzalez was the starting quarterback for theUniversity of Pittsburgh football team in 1997. In that year, he led the Panthers to a come-from-behind-victory over theWest Virginia Mountaineers in theBackyard Brawl 41–38 in double overtime. (It was the first season of the current overtime rules incollege football, which was designed to eliminatetied games.) He subsequently took Pitt to their first bowl game in eight years with an appearance in theLiberty Bowl.
Gonzalez signed with thePittsburgh Steelers as anundrafted free agent in 1998. He spent two seasons with the Steelers, both years as the third-string quarterback, throwing just one pass that was complete for eight yards toHines Ward. The one pass came in the 1999 season opener against theCleveland Browns (the Browns' first gamein four years), in which the Steelers won 43–0 and had put Gonzalez in late in the game after the outcome had been decided.
After the Steelers chose not to re-sign him—starting quarterbackKordell Stewart was the only quarterback carryover for the2000 season from 1999, a year they had four quarterbacks on the roster the entire season (Stewart,Mike Tomczak, Gonzalez, andAnthony Wright)—Gonzalez signed with theIndianapolis Colts, but was cut intraining camp and never returned to football as a player.
Gonzalez was the last Steelers player to wear number 7 beforeBen Roethlisberger arrived in 2004.
After his NFL career, Gonzalez played two seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was the backup to Danny McManus in 2002 and 2003. He went 67/150 for 999 yards, with four passing Touchdowns and seven interceptions.[2]
Gonzalez and his wife Mandy have two children and live in the Pittsburgh area.[3] He works outside of football, but does small consulting and training camps for junior high and high school quarterbacks and receivers in the Pittsburgh area.
Gonzalez is of Cuban descent.[4]