Tony Casillas

Last updated

Tony Casillas
Tony Casillas.jpg
Casillas with a fan prior to a Cowboys home game in 2011.
No. 75, 92
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1963-10-26) October 26, 1963 (age 60)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:278 lb (126 kg)
Career information
High school: East Central (Tulsa)
College: Oklahoma
NFL draft: 1986  / Round: 1 / Pick:  2
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games:166
Sacks:23
Tackles:724
Player stats at PFR

Tony Steven Casillas (born October 26, 1963) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) from 1986 through 1997. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, winning an NCAA national championship in 1985, when he also won the Lombardi Award and was the UPI Lineman of the Year. Casillas was also part of the Dallas Cowboys back to back victories in Super Bowl XXVII and XXVIII, both against the Buffalo Bills. In 2004, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Contents

Early years

Casillas, of Mexican and Cherokee descent, was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on October 16, 1963. He attended Tulsa East Central High School where he was an All-State player.

He had a difficult start to his college football career. As a redshirt freshman he suffered an ankle injury, contracted mononucleosis and was lost for the entire season. The next year, he played sparingly at defensive tackle, registering only 10 tackles. [1]

In 1984, Casillas was moved to nose guard and became a starter, receiving consensus All-American and first-team All-Conference honors.

In 1985, he became only the second Sooner ever to win the Lombardi Award, which is given to the nation’s top lineman. He was named the UPI Lineman of the Year, the Big Eight Conference defensive player of the year, a consensus first team All-American and first team All-Conference. He ended his college career with 18 sacks and 213 career tackles in addition to graduating with Academic All-American honors in 1985, and a degree in public relations.

In 2004, Casillas became the second Hispanic (his father is Mexican and his mother comes from Irish and Native American descent) to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. [2]

The National Football Foundation named Casillas the College Defensive Player of the Decade for the 1980s. [3] In 2008, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. [4]

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

Casillas was selected second overall in the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. [5] The team was switching to a 3-4 defense, so they needed him to be their nose tackle, he responded by becoming a starter as a rookie and making 111 tackles and a sack. He also made the league's all-rookie team. The next year, he suffered a stress fracture of his left fibula and was placed on the injured reserve list. [6]

In the strike-shortened 1987 season, he played just nine games and had 72 tackles.

During the 1988 preseason, he left camp for three weeks to get guidance from a psychologist, suffering he said, from the stress of playing in professional football. [7] He returned to the team with a new attitude and in time to start the regular season, where he made 111 tackles and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.

He exploded in 1989, becoming one of the best players at his position in the league with 152 tackles (still a team record for a defensive lineman) and was named second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl alternate.

In 1990, he held out in a contract dispute from head coach Jerry Glanville's first Falcons training camp, [8] causing him to lose his starting job to rookie Tory Epps. The problems escalated from there on, he eventually missed a 44-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams after failing to catch the team flight. [9] The Falcons suspended him for two weeks without pay. Between injuries and discipline incidents, he only played in nine games as a backup.

At the start of the 1991 season, he announced he was retiring, [10] so the Falcons traded him to the Dallas Cowboys for second, and eighth round draft choices in the 1992 NFL Draft. [11] During his five-year span in Atlanta, Casillas had 478 tackles, the most ever by any Falcons defensive lineman and fourth best overall in franchise history.

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)

The Dallas Cowboys welcomed Casillas to training camp with the news that he would play left tackle in a 4-3 defense where the No. 1 overall draft pick Russell Maryland was also going to play. [12] He eventually won the starting spot and became part of the best defense and the best defensive-line rotation in the NFL.

His career was revived in Dallas as a specialist at stopping the run. He also was a part of back to back victories in Super Bowl XXVII and XXVIII against the Buffalo Bills two years in a row. Casillas left the team via free agency to join the Kansas City Chiefs for the 1994 season.

Kansas City Chiefs

He immediately started having problems with the Kansas City Chiefs in mini-camp, practicing only sporadically, saying that he had a problem with high blood pressure. [13]

On the eve of training camp, he told coach Marty Schottenheimer he was concerned about his health. Eventually, the Chiefs released him, forcing him to return his signing bonus. Their general manager, Carl Peterson, asked the league to investigate whether the Cowboys had tampered, after the Cowboys hired Barry Switzer (Casillas's former coach at Oklahoma). [14]

As part of Casillas's release from the Chiefs, he agreed that he would not sign in 1994 with any of the other AFC West divisional rivals or with the Dallas Cowboys.

New York Jets

In 1994, he signed with the New York Jets after a bizarre spring and summer in which he practiced only sporadically in minicamp with the Chiefs and was eventually released by the team. [15] In the two years he spent with the team, he dealt with injuries that caused him to only start 16 games. [16] He was waived on March 2, 1996. [17]

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

Casillas rejoined the Dallas Cowboys in a reserve role for the 1996 season, [18] which was the only season in his career where he failed to record a sack. In 1997, he started 14 games in place of a suspended Leon Lett, matching his career high total of 3 sacks. He retired from professional football on February 25, 1998, [19] after playing in the NFL for 12 seasons.

Personal life

Casillas was the host of "Casillas & Company"/"Casillas & Zack," a sports talk show on Oklahoma City radio station 107.7 The Franchise KRXO from August 2013 until his departure from the station in November 2014. [20] [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La'Roi Glover</span> American football player and coach (born 1974)

La'Roi Damon Glover is an American former football defensive tackle who is the defensive line coach for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs. Glover enjoyed a 13-year career in which he made six-consecutive Pro Bowls and was a four-time All-Pro selection. He spent five seasons with the New Orleans Saints (1997-2001), four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2002–2005) and finished his playing career with the St. Louis Rams (2006–2008).

Larry Christopher Allen Jr. is an American former football guard who played in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Butte Roadrunners and the Sonoma State Cossacks, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1994 NFL draft. Allen is regarded as one of the NFL's physically strongest players ever, while also capable of using his speed against defenders.

Leslie Claudis O'Neal is an American former professional football defensive end and linebacker for 13 years in the National Football League (NFL). He spent the majority of his career with the San Diego Chargers before finishing with the St. Louis Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection during his pro career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Spears (defensive end)</span> American football player (born 1983)

Marcus Rayshon Spears, nicknamed "Swagu", is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the LSU Tigers, earning consensus All-American honors. Spears was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He also played in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens.

Mark Pulemau Tuinei was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Known as a "gentle giant", his career lasted for 15 years (1983–1997) and his ability to protect quarterback Troy Aikman and to run-block for running back Emmitt Smith helped them win Super Bowls in 1992, 1993, and 1995 and the NFC East Division in 1985 and 1992-96. He was also selected for the Pro Bowl in 1994 and 1995.

Russell James Maryland is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 10 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. Maryland was selected by the Cowboys with the first overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Waters</span> American football player (born 1977)

Brian Demond Waters is a former American football guard. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 1999 out of the University of North Texas. He played most of his career for the Kansas City Chiefs, and also played for the New England Patriots. He earned six Pro Bowl selections during his career.

Raymond Clay Childress, Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies.

John Owen Dutton is an American former professional football player who was a defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Jeffrey Scott Case is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. He was a member of Dallas' Super Bowl XXX champion team that beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald McCoy</span> American football player (born 1988)

Gerald Keith McCoy Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the third overall pick of the 2010 NFL draft. McCoy has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times, and was selected to one First-team All-Pro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Noonan (American football)</span> American football player (born 1965)

Daniel Nicholas Noonan is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Fry</span> American football player and coach (1930–2019)

Robert Moellering Fry was a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Kentucky and was drafted in the third round of the 1953 NFL Draft.

Dean Edward Hamel is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Tulsa and was drafted in the twelfth round of the 1985 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Clady</span> American football player (born 1986)

Ryan Jacob Clady is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Boise State University, and earned consensus All-American honors. The Denver Broncos selected Clady in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft, and he was named to four Pro Bowls in his eight years with the team. He also played one season for the New York Jets.

William E. Hawkins is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning consensus All-American honors in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyron Smith</span> American football player (born 1990)

Tyron Jerrar Smith is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans where he won the Morris Trophy, recognizing the best offensive and defensive linemen on the West Coast, in 2010. Smith was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. In 13 seasons with the Cowboys, Smith was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a five-time All-Pro, and was named to the 2010s All-Decade Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dontari Poe</span> American football player (born 1990)

Dontari Poe is an American former football nose tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football at Memphis and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs 11th overall in the 2012 NFL draft. Though primarily a defensive lineman, at 6 ft 3 in and 346 lbs, he is also known for being the largest player to either rush or pass for a touchdown while also having a 100% pass completion percentage, passing touchdown, and rushing touchdown. He also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jared Smith</span> American football player (born 1990)

Jared Smith is a former American football guard. He played college football at New Hampshire. He was invited to the 2013 NFL Combine as a defensive lineman. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Before the 2013 season, he was transitioned from a defensive lineman to an offensive lineman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leonard Williams (American football)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Leonard Austin Williams is an American football defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New York Jets with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played college football at USC.

References

  1. ↑ "Improving Casillas "10 Times Better'". August 30, 1984.
  2. ↑ "Casillas shares memories -- 'Oklahoma will always be special'". September 11, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Big 8 Honors Casillas and Sanders as Conference Players of Decade". Associated Press. December 24, 1989 – via LA Times.
  4. ↑ "Former Cowboys lead Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame class". May 14, 2008.
  5. ↑ "1986 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Life in NFL Proves Trying for Ex-Sooners". July 27, 1988.
  7. ↑ WOJCIECHOWSKI, GENE (October 7, 1989). "CALM STORM : Successful Therapy Lets Falcons' Tony Casillas Cause Stress for Foes" – via LA Times.
  8. ↑ "It's Money Or Nothing for Falcons' Casillas". August 9, 1990.
  9. ↑ "Casillas Is Back With Falcons". October 23, 1990.
  10. ↑ "Ex-Sooner Casillas Says He's Retiring". July 21, 1991.
  11. ↑ "Cowboys Deal For Casillas". July 22, 1991.
  12. ↑ "Cowboys Glad to Have Casillas Aboard". Associated Press. July 23, 1991 – via LA Times.
  13. ↑ "Casillas on Way Out? Chiefs DT May Retire for Health Reasons". July 29, 1994.
  14. ↑ Eskenazi, Gerald (October 21, 1994). "PRO FOOTBALL; Jets' Casillas Seems to Be in Right Frame of Mind". The New York Times.
  15. ↑ Eskenazi, Gerald (September 20, 1994). "PRO FOOTBALL; Jets Sign Casillas, Plus His Baggage". The New York Times.
  16. ↑ "Casillas Due for Back Surgery Jets Tackle to Be Sidelined for 8 Weeks". July 30, 1995.
  17. ↑ "TRANSACTIONS". The New York Times. March 2, 1996.
  18. ↑ "Casillas, Switzer Enjoy Unique Bond". August 15, 1996.
  19. ↑ "PLUS: FOOTBALL -- DALLAS; Wilson Is Released; Casillas Retires". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 25, 1998.
  20. ↑ Bracht, Mel (August 24, 2013). "Media notebook: Tyler Media announces lineup for 107.7 The Franchise". The Oklahoman . Oklahoma City, OK. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  21. ↑ Riley, Patrick (November 20, 2013). "Tony Casillas is finally out at 107.7 The Franchise..." The Lost Ogle . Oklahoma City, OK. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.