Vincent Frank Testaverde Sr. (/tɛstəˈvɜːrdi/; born November 13, 1963) is an American former professionalfootballquarterback who played in theNational Football League (NFL) for 21 seasons. He playedcollege football for theMiami Hurricanes, earning consensusAll-American honors and winning theHeisman Trophy in 1986.
Testaverde was selected by theTampa Bay Buccaneers with thefirst overall pick of the1987 NFL draft. After leaving as a free agent, he signed with theCleveland Browns and was among the personnel transferred to the newBaltimore Ravens duringthe team's controversial move. He then joined theNew York Jets, where he achieved his greatest success. In the last four seasons of his career, he played for theDallas Cowboys, the Jets for a second time,New England Patriots, andCarolina Panthers for one year each.
Testaverde's professional career is principally noted for its duration: 21 seasons with seven teams. He finished in the top 10 in most career passing statistics: 6th in career passing yardage, 7th in career touchdown passes, 6th in career completions. But he holds the NFL records for losses as a starting quarterback (123) and lowest career regular-season winning percentage for any quarterback with at least 70 wins (42.3%). He started five postseason games in his NFL career with a record of 2–3. Testaverde was known for his strong arm and high volume, but was also known for his frequentinterceptions. Testaverde threw more than 20 interceptions in four of his 21 seasons; during hissecond season with the Buccaneers, he threw 35 interceptions.
Testaverde was born inBrooklyn, New York City. While living inElmont, New York, onLong Island, Testaverde attendedSewanhaka High School inFloral Park, and graduated in 1981.[1] He then attendedFork Union Military Academy inFork Union, Virginia for apost-graduate year of college preparatory work. Growing up, he was a fan of theNew York Jets.[2]
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Testaverde accepted anathletic scholarship to attend theUniversity of Miami, where he played for theMiami Hurricanes football team from 1982 to 1986.[3] Heredshirted as a freshman,[4] backed upBernie Kosar for the next two seasons, and became the starter in 1985. As a senior in 1986, he was a Unanimous First-team All-American and won the Heisman Trophy,[5][6][7] on his way to becoming the Hurricanes' all-time leader in careertouchdown passes with 48.[8] In addition to the Heisman Trophy, he also won the Davey O'Brien Award, the Maxwell Award, the Sammy Baugh Trophy, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.[9][10][11][12] His 26 touchdown passes andpasser rating of 165.8 in the 1986 season led major college football.[13] He played in the1987 Fiesta Bowl againstPenn State for the 1986 national championship, a game in which the Miami Hurricanes were heavily favored but lost 14–10 in a game in which Testaverde threw five interceptions.[14]
Testaverde played an important part in the University of Miami's history as one of the topcollege football programs of the 1980s and 1990s. Along withJim Kelly,Mark Richt,Bernie Kosar,Steve Walsh,Gino Torretta,Craig Erickson, andKen Dorsey, Testaverde is considered part of the University of Miami's quarterback dynasty, and was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. On May 7, 2013, he was inducted into theCollege Football Hall of Fame.[4]
| Miami Hurricanes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Passing | ||||||||
| Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Rtg | ||||
| 1982 | Miami | 5 | 12 | 41.7 | 79 | 1 | 0 | 124.5 | ||
| 1983 | Miami | Redshirted | ||||||||
| 1984 | Miami | 17 | 34 | 50 | 184 | 0 | 1 | 89.6 | ||
| 1985 | Miami | 216 | 352 | 61.4 | 3,238 | 21 | 15 | 149.8 | ||
| 1986 | Miami | 175 | 276 | 63.4 | 2,557 | 26 | 9 | 165.8 | ||
| Career | 413 | 674 | 61.3 | 6,058 | 48 | 25 | 152.9 | |||
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | Bench press | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft4+1⁄4 in (1.94 m) | 213 lb (97 kg) | 33+1⁄2 in (0.85 m) | 10 in (0.25 m) | 4.75 s | 1.63 s | 2.75 s | 13 reps | |||||
| All values fromNFL Combine[15][16] | ||||||||||||
Testaverde was selected as the first overall draft pick by theTampa Bay Buccaneers in the1987 NFL draft.[17][18] He made his NFL debut in Week 2, throwing four passes in a 20–3 loss to theChicago Bears.[19] He made his first start in a Week 13 loss to the Saints. He scored his first NFL touchdown on a one-yard rush and he threw his first passing touchdown on a 37-yard pass to Mark Carrier.[20] In his second season, Testaverde struggled heavily with a 47.6% completion rate for 3,240 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 35interceptions.[21] His 35 interceptions were the second most of any quarterback in a single season in NFL history.[22] During his tenure in Tampa, Testaverde received taunts from fans and radio personalities about hiscolor blindness.[23] In 1988, a radio station in Tampa rented a billboard that had Testaverde standing in front of a blue background. The billboard read: "Vinny thinks this is orange!"[24][25] The high number of errors caused his intelligence to be called into question.National Football League Players Association presidentGene Upshaw, unaware that his comments could be heard by anyone viewing through a direct satellite uplink, once commented during anNFL Live! commercial break that Testaverde was so dumb that he would drag the electric cord through his swimming pool while trimming the hedges, and claimed himself to be a better quarterback (Upshaw was a retired offensive guard) than Testaverde.[26][27]
In the 1989 season, Testaverde started all 14 games and passed for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns.[28] While Testaverde significantly reduced his interception total in 1989, he again led the league with 22.[29] His numbers continued to improve, and in the 1992 season, his last with Tampa Bay, he threw for a 57.5% completion rate for 2,554 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.[30]
Testaverde signed as anunrestricted free agent with theCleveland Browns in 1993.[31] After spending half a season as a backup to his former Hurricanes teammateBernie Kosar, he became the starter after Kosar's release by then Browns head coachBill Belichick.[32] Testaverde spent three seasons in Cleveland, and in1994 led the team to an 11–5 record and a playoff appearance, where they won theAFCWild Card Round game againstNew England before being defeated byPittsburgh in theDivisional Round.[33][34][35] Testaverde started on and off for the Browns during the 1995 season, where the team dropped to a 5–11 record and missed the playoffs.[36] Testaverde was part of controversial Cleveland Browns move to Baltimore.
In 1996, most of the players and personnel that made up the Cleveland Browns organizationmoved to Baltimore, establishing theBaltimore Ravens.[37] Testaverde played two seasons with the newly formed team.[38] He scored the first touchdown in the history of the Ravens on a nine-yard run[24] and ended the season with over 4,000 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, and 19 interceptions.[39] Testaverde made his firstPro Bowl appearance in 1996, with the Ravens.[40]
Said football statistics siteFootball Outsiders of Testaverde's unlikely1996 season, "The real reason the Ravens ranked first in rushing [efficiency] was, believe it or not, Vinny Testaverde, who was out of his gourd as a scrambler that season. Ignore the official stats and take out the kneels, and Testaverde had 197 yards on just 23 carries, 8.6 yards per carry. He scrambled seven times on third down with 5–10 yards to go and converted six of those. He scrambled six times on a 1st-and-10 and gained a new first down five times. Testaverde had not rushed for 100 yards since1992."[41]
Testaverde signed a restructured four-year contract with the Ravens ahead of the 1997 season.[42] Ravens ownerArt Modell complimented Testaverde on his loyalty to the team and his acceptance of the city of Baltimore.[43] However, Testaverde did not perform as well in 1997 as he did the previous year. He threw 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, and was replaced by backupEric Zeier after suffering an injury. Zeier led the Ravens to two consecutive victories and become popular with the fans.[39][44] After trading forIndianapolis Colts quarterbackJim Harbaugh, the Ravens released Testaverde prior to the 1998 season.[45] While Modell and Ravens coachTed Marchibroda complimented Testaverde and said that he would start elsewhere in the NFL, Testaverde and his agent were dissatisfied with the way that his release was conducted.[39]
In 1998, his first season with his hometownNew York Jets,[46][47] Testaverde began the season as the second-string quarterback behind starterGlenn Foley, whose rib injury in Week 2 made him the starter.[48] Testaverde flourished in his first start, throwing four touchdown passes against theIndianapolis Colts and winning two straight games for the Jets. The recovered Foley was named the starter by head coachBill Parcells for their Week 6 game against theSt. Louis Rams, but after a miserable 5-of-15 outing, he was benched and replaced by Testaverde, who remained the starter for the rest of the season.[49] He went 12–1 in 13 games as a starter, completing 61.5% of his passes with 29 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 101.6 quarterback rating, making the Pro Bowl for the second time.[50][51]
In a December game against theSeattle Seahawks, Testaverde was involved in a play that was cited as an impetus for the NFL's adoption of a newinstant replay review system the next season.[52] With the Jets trailing 31–26 and twenty seconds left in the game, Testaverde attempted to score on a quarterback sneak on fourth and goal from the Seattle five-yard line. Testaverde had been tackled and the ball was not across the goal line when this happened, but because Testaverde's helmet had crossed the line the game's head linesman, Earnie Frantz, ruled the play a touchdown. The Jets won the game 32–31 and the loss was said to have cost the Seahawks a playoff berth and coachDennis Erickson his job.[53]
In spite of the controversy, Testaverde's 1998 season was arguably his best season in the NFL. With him under center, the Jets won theAFC East for the first time since the merger and earned a first-round bye, and a homeDivisional Round playoff game against Jacksonville.[54][55] In theAFC Championship that year, they lost to the eventualSuper Bowl championDenver Broncos 23–10.[56]
The Jets had Super Bowl aspirations entering the 1999 season.[57] However, in the first game of the season, against theNew England Patriots, Testaverde suffered a rupturedAchilles tendon and did not play for the rest of the season.[58][59]
In 2000, Testaverde returned as the Jets quarterback. The highlight of the season was the "Monday Night Miracle" game against theMiami Dolphins on October 23, 2000, selected by fans as the greatest game inMonday Night Football history.[60] In that game, the Jets fell behind 30–7 going into the fourth quarter, but came back to win the game, 40–37 behind five touchdown passes from Testaverde, including one each toLaveranues Coles,Jermaine Wiggins,Jumbo Elliott, and two toWayne Chrebet.[61][62] In the regular season finale against the Ravens, he passed for a career-high 481 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in the loss.[63] In the 2000 season, he led the Jets to a 9–7 record but missed the postseason.[64][65] He finished with 3,732 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions.[66]
Following the departure of head coachAl Groh, Testaverde had a new coach inHerm Edwards.[67][68] In 2001, Testaverde led the Jets back to theplayoffs, where they lost in theWild Card Round to theOakland Raiders 38–24. Testaverde was efficient in the loss, passing for three touchdowns and no interceptions.[69] In 2002, he was replaced after a 1–3 start byChad Pennington.[70] He made cameo appearances to take the last snap in both the playoff-clinching game versus theGreen Bay Packers and the 41–0 Wild Card Round win against theIndianapolis Colts.[71] In 2003, he was assigned to a backup role behind Pennington, although he started the first six games due to Pennington's left wrist injury.[72]
Despite his injuries, Testaverde's performance with the Jets endeared him to Bill Parcells, who retired from coaching in 1999.[73] One year after Parcells was lured out of retirement byDallas Cowboys ownerJerry Jones, he brought Testaverde to the Cowboys in 2004.[74]
Testaverde initially was signed to be a backup and mentor to young Cowboys quarterbackQuincy Carter, but after Carter was abruptly cut by the Cowboys for allegedly failing a drug test, Testaverde was given the starting quarterback job.[75][76] While many questioned his ability to still play in the NFL, the protection schemes and play-calling allowed him to showcase his arm, although with mixed results. He was able to throw for significant yardage, but led the league in interceptions, getting picked off on 4% of his passes.[77] Dallas finished the 2004 season 6–10, for third place in theNFC East.[78][79]
Testaverde's one-year contract with the Cowboys expired early in 2005. The Cowboys chose to instead sign Parcells' 1993 number onedraft pick,Drew Bledsoe, as their top quarterback, leaving Testaverde without a contract. Parcells cites Testaverde's presence in Dallas as having been important to the development of eventual starterTony Romo.[80] At the time, Testaverde's 3,532 passing yards and 297 completions were the third-best total of his career and the third-most passing yards in Dallas Cowboys franchise history.[81] He also tied the franchise record for 300-yard passing games in a season with three and became the fifth quarterback in league history to pass for over 300 yards at 40 years old.[citation needed]
As injuries on September 25, 2005 knocked bothChad Pennington and backupJay Fiedler out for the2005 season, the New York Jets re-signed Testaverde on September 27, 2005.[82] Testaverde was named the Jets' starting quarterback in week five of the 2005 season, in a home game against the team that originally drafted him, theTampa Bay Buccaneers.[83]
On December 26, against theNew England Patriots on the finalABC telecast ofMonday Night Football, Testaverde set a new NFL record for most consecutive seasons with at least onetouchdown pass, 19, by throwing a 27-yard pass toLaveranues Coles to secure the record.[84] That pass is also notable as being the last touchdown pass thrown onMonday Night Football while it was still broadcast by ABC.[85] The game was also notable because the Patriots sent in back-up quarterbackDoug Flutie, making this the first game in NFL history in which two quarterbacks over the age of 40 completed a pass (Testaverde was 42, Flutie was 43).[citation needed]
On November 14, 2006, theNew England Patriots signed Testaverde as a backup to starterTom Brady.[86] Testaverde kneeled down for the final play in a victory against thePackers on November 19, 2006.[87] Testaverde threw a touchdown pass toTroy Brown on December 31, 2006, against theTennessee Titans, giving him at least one touchdown pass for the twentieth straight season, extending his NFL record.[88] The Patriots defeated theJets, Testaverde's former team, in the first round of theplayoffs, and Testaverde took the last couple of snaps to run out the clock.[89]
Testaverde wore #14 with the Patriots, the second time the number has been re-issued sinceSteve Grogan's retirement asP.K. Sam wore it earlier in the decade.[90]
On May 29,2007, Testaverde stated his interest in returning to the Patriots for the 2007 NFL season,[91] and on July 13, 2007, confirmed this withSporting News Radio. He officially signed a 1-year contract for $825,000 on August 18, 2007, but was released on September 1, 2007.[92][93]
WithJake Delhomme out for the2007 season due to an elbow injury he suffered in a Week 3 victory over theAtlanta Falcons, andDavid Carr out with a sore back, the Panthers signed Testaverde on October 10, 2007.[94][95] Testaverde, wearing #16, started his first game with the team on October 14, 2007, against theArizona Cardinals. In that game, he threw a 65-yard touchdown pass toSteve Smith, extending his NFL record to 21 consecutive seasons with a touchdown pass.[96] After leading the Panthers to a 25–10 victory, the 43-year-old became the oldest starting quarterback to win a game in NFL history, and the third-oldest to start one.[97] He has also thrown touchdown passes to 71 different players, a record since broken byTom Brady. On October 28, coachJohn Fox named Testaverde the starting quarterback against theIndianapolis Colts.[98] In that game, Testaverde led the Panthers in the longest opening drive for a touchdown in franchise history, consisting of 18 plays and lasting over 11 minutes. Despite winning time of possession in the first half of the game, the Panthers entered the locker room under a 3-point deficit. In the second half, Testaverde left the field with a strainedAchilles tendon, and was replaced by formerHouston Texans quarterback David Carr. Ultimately, the Panthers lost 31–7.[99] Reports said that Testaverde would be out for at least a week.[100]
On November 18, Testaverde and the Panthers played atLambeau Field againstBrett Favre and theGreen Bay Packers for their Week 11 matchup.[101] With Testaverde at 44 years old and Favre at 38 years old, this was the oldest starting quarterback duo in any game in NFL history. The "Senior Bowl", as it was nicknamed in the media, was won by the Packers 31–17.[102]
On December 2, Testaverde became the second-oldest starting quarterback in NFL history at 44 years and 19 days old. He threw two touchdown passes against theSan Francisco 49ers in the Panthers' win, breaking his own record for the oldest starter to win an NFL game. During this game, Testaverde andDante Rosario became the passer/receiver duo with the largest age gap between them (20 years, 346 days) to connect for a touchdown.[103][104]
Testaverde announced his plans for retirement on December 29, which would take effect after the final game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 30.[105]
Panthers head coach John Fox sent him into the game to take the final kneel-down snap in a game which the Panthers won 31–23, expectantly bringing to an end to the 44-year-old's 21-year NFL career at the same city he was originally drafted. He officially announced his retirement from professional football in January 2008.[106]
Despite his long career and overall statistical achievements, Testaverde only had moderate success in terms ofwins and losses. During the regular season as a starter, he led his teams to 90 wins, 123 losses, and one tie. He led his team to the postseason on three occasions, with an overall postseason record of 2–3, reaching the AFC Championship Game once.[107] Ajourneyman quarterback who played on seven different teams, Testaverde holds several NFL records related to his longevity in the league, including the NFL record for having thrown a touchdown pass in 21 consecutive seasons, the most losses by a starting quarterback with 123, and throwing touchdown passes to an NFL record 70 different players (broken byTom Brady in 2018).[108][109] He had one of the highest completion percentages in a single game during the regular season (at least 20 attempts) at 91.3% (21/23), in 1993, against theLos Angeles Rams. Testaverde's one-time record has since been broken multiple times, withDrew Brees now holding the record at 96.7%.[110]
As a player, Testaverde was commended for his arm strength but criticized for his lack of mobility and tendency to commit turnovers.[24][111]
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 1987 | TB | 6 | 4 | 0–4 | 71 | 165 | 43.0 | 1,081 | 6.6 | 5 | 6 | 60.2 | 13 | 50 | 3.8 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| 1988 | TB | 15 | 15 | 5–10 | 222 | 466 | 47.6 | 3,240 | 7.0 | 13 | 35 | 48.8 | 28 | 138 | 4.9 | 1 | 8 | 5 |
| 1989 | TB | 14 | 14 | 5–9 | 258 | 480 | 53.8 | 3,133 | 6.5 | 20 | 22 | 68.9 | 25 | 139 | 5.6 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| 1990 | TB | 14 | 13 | 6–7 | 203 | 365 | 55.6 | 2,818 | 7.7 | 17 | 18 | 75.6 | 38 | 280 | 7.4 | 1 | 10 | 2 |
| 1991 | TB | 13 | 12 | 3–9 | 166 | 326 | 50.9 | 1,994 | 6.1 | 8 | 15 | 59.0 | 32 | 101 | 3.2 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| 1992 | TB | 14 | 14 | 5–9 | 206 | 358 | 57.5 | 2,554 | 7.1 | 14 | 16 | 74.2 | 36 | 197 | 5.5 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 1993 | CLE | 10 | 6 | 3–3 | 130 | 230 | 56.5 | 1,797 | 7.8 | 14 | 9 | 85.7 | 18 | 74 | 4.1 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 1994 | CLE | 14 | 13 | 9–4 | 207 | 376 | 55.1 | 2,575 | 6.8 | 16 | 18 | 70.7 | 21 | 37 | 1.8 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 1995 | CLE | 13 | 12 | 4–8 | 241 | 392 | 61.5 | 2,883 | 7.4 | 17 | 10 | 87.8 | 18 | 62 | 3.4 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 1996 | BAL | 16 | 16 | 4–12 | 325 | 549 | 59.2 | 4,177 | 7.6 | 33 | 19 | 88.7 | 34 | 188 | 5.5 | 2 | 9 | 7 |
| 1997 | BAL | 13 | 13 | 4–8–1 | 271 | 470 | 57.7 | 2,971 | 6.3 | 18 | 15 | 75.9 | 34 | 138 | 4.1 | 0 | 11 | 3 |
| 1998 | NYJ | 14 | 13 | 12–1 | 259 | 421 | 61.5 | 3,256 | 7.7 | 29 | 7 | 101.6 | 24 | 104 | 4.3 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
| 1999 | NYJ | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 10 | 15 | 66.7 | 96 | 6.4 | 1 | 1 | 78.7 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | NYJ | 16 | 16 | 9–7 | 328 | 590 | 55.6 | 3,732 | 6.3 | 21 | 25 | 69.0 | 25 | 32 | 1.3 | 0 | 7 | 4 |
| 2001 | NYJ | 16 | 16 | 10–6 | 260 | 441 | 59.0 | 2,752 | 6.2 | 15 | 14 | 75.3 | 31 | 25 | 0.8 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| 2002 | NYJ | 5 | 4 | 1–3 | 54 | 83 | 65.1 | 499 | 6.0 | 3 | 3 | 78.3 | 2 | 23 | 11.5 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2003 | NYJ | 7 | 7 | 2–5 | 123 | 198 | 62.1 | 1,385 | 7.0 | 7 | 2 | 90.6 | 6 | 17 | 2.8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | DAL | 16 | 15 | 5–10 | 297 | 495 | 60.0 | 3,532 | 7.1 | 17 | 20 | 76.4 | 21 | 38 | 1.8 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
| 2005 | NYJ | 6 | 4 | 1–3 | 60 | 106 | 56.6 | 777 | 7.3 | 1 | 6 | 59.4 | 7 | 4 | 0.6 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
| 2006 | NE | 3 | 0 | — | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 29 | 9.7 | 1 | 0 | 137.5 | 8 | −8 | −1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | CAR | 7 | 6 | 2–4 | 94 | 172 | 54.7 | 952 | 5.5 | 5 | 6 | 65.8 | 9 | 22 | 2.4 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Career | 233 | 214 | 90–123–1 | 3,787 | 6,701 | 56.5 | 46,233 | 6.9 | 275 | 267 | 75.0 | 430 | 1,661 | 3.9 | 15 | 117 | 47 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 1994 | CLE | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 33 | 61 | 54.1 | 412 | 6.8 | 2 | 2 | 72.6 | 5 | 19 | 3.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | NYJ | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 55 | 88 | 62.5 | 640 | 7.3 | 1 | 3 | 74.1 | 1 | −1 | −1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | NYJ | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 26 | 40 | 65.0 | 268 | 6.7 | 3 | 0 | 109.2 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | NYJ | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | −2 | −1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | NE | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | −1 | −1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 7 | 5 | 2–3 | 114 | 189 | 60.3 | 1,320 | 7.0 | 6 | 5 | 81.0 | 10 | 16 | 1.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Testaverde is currently the quarterbacks coach atJesuit High School of Tampa, where his sonVincent Jr. attended.[123] He and his wife, Mitzi, have two daughters, Alicia and Madeleine, and a son, Vincent Jr;[124] they live inTampa, Florida.[125] Vincent Jr. played college football as a quarterback for theSUNY Albany Great Danes; he signed with theTampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL draft and had a short stint with theTampa Bay Vipers of theXFL.[126]
On September 18, 2025, theUniversity of Miami announced that Max Chira, a UM fan, has made a $1.81 million donation that will be used to construct life-sized statues ofGino Torretta and Testaverde on campus outside the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence.[127]
