Chester Pitts

Last updated

Chester Pitts
No. 69
Position: Guard
Tackle
Personal information
Born: (1979-06-26) June 26, 1979 (age 45)
Inglewood, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
High school: California Academy of Mathematics and Science (Carson, California)
College: San Diego State
NFL draft: 2002  / round: 2 / pick: 50
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:121
Games started:119
Fumble recoveries:6
Player stats at PFR

Chester Morise Pitts II (born June 26, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs and was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. He played in the NFL from 2002 through 2011. Pitts was the focus of the NFL SuperAd commercial shown during Super Bowl XLII relating the story of how his career began.

Contents

Early life

Pitts attended the California Academy of Mathematics and Science in Carson, California. His school did not have a football program, so he competed in shot put and discus on the track and field team and won All-League honors and set several school records. [1]

College career

Pitts attended San Diego State University, and he worked bagging groceries at a Ralphs supermarket. After a chance encounter with Ephraim Salaam, Pitts joined the Aztecs as a freshman walk-on. Upon dominating future Pro-Bowler Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila in practice he was awarded a scholarship. As a sophomore, he saw action in nine games and graded out at 97% for blocking consistency, made 60 knockdown blocks, and allowed only 1 sack throughout his sophomore season. He started for two seasons before being drafted by the Houston Texans in the second round, 50th overall pick.

Professional career

Houston Texans

Pitts was selected in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft by the Houston Texans. [2] He started every game during his first eight seasons with the Texans, either at left guard or left tackle. During his last season with the team in 2009, Pitts only played in two games, both of which he started. In his last game that season, Pitts injured his right knee, ending his season and later requiring microfracture surgery.

Seattle Seahawks

Pitts signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent before the start of the 2010 NFL season, but was not able to recover enough from his off-season surgery to play in the season opener. Pitts appeared in 7 games, starting 5 of them and made the playoffs for the first time. He became a free agent after the 2010 season. [3]

On April 27, 2021, Pitts signed a one-day contract with Houston, officially retiring with the franchise after over a decade. [4]

During Super Bowl XLII, the NFL aired a commercial starring Pitts and Texans teammate Ephraim Salaam. In it, Pitts and Salaam reminisce about Salaam discovering Pitts, "this big guy," bagging groceries at a store near San Diego State University, which they both attended. Pitts, a devoted oboist who had never played organized football, was convinced by Salaam to join the school's football team and performed so well that he would be drafted by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft, while Salaam was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round in the 1998 NFL draft. [5] The music during the commercial, featuring the oboe, of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, was played by Pitts. [6]

Television career

In November 2012, Pitts began a role as a sportscaster for KPRC, News 2 Houston in Houston, Texas. In 2013, Pitts participated in the 23rd season of The Amazing Race with former teammate Ephraim Salaam. After encountering several travel delays on their way from Santiago to Lisbon, they finished in 9th Place out of 11 teams and were the third team eliminated from the race upon arrival when host Phil Keoghan arrived at Lisbon Airport, as all of the other teams in the race had already finished all of the tasks and then checked in at the Pit Stop before they even made it to Portugal. Moreover, they become the first team ever in Amazing Race history to be eliminated at the airport.

Related Research Articles

Sam Adams is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, earning consensus All-American honors, and was selected eighth overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1994 NFL draft. Following six seasons as a member of the Seahawks, he earned consecutive Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors during his two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Adams was also part of the team that won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXV and made another championship appearance in his one season for the Oakland Raiders in 2002. As a member of the Buffalo Bills from 2003 to 2004, Adams was named to a third Pro Bowl. He spent his last two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos.

Harry James Sharper Jr. is an American football coach and former player who most recently served as the linebackers coach for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). Sharper played professionally as a linebacker for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL), and played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 1997 NFL draft. Sharper spent five seasons in Baltimore, where he was part of the team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl in Super Bowl XXXV. In 2002, he was selected by the Houston Texans in their expansion draft and played three seasons with the team. During his final season in 2005, Sharper was a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He is the older brother of former safety Darren Sharper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Faneca</span> American football player (born 1976)

Alan Joseph Faneca is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for Louisiana State University (LSU), and earned consensus All-America honors. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1998 NFL draft, and played professionally for the Steelers, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. A six-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Faneca won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL, defeating the Seattle Seahawks. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 and on May 10, 2021, he was introduced as the head football coach of Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Schaub</span> American football player and coach (born 1981)

Matthew Rutledge Schaub is an American former football quarterback who played for 17 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers, and was selected by the Falcons in the third round with the 90th pick of the 2004 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Izzo</span> American football player and coach (born 1974)

Lawrence Alexander Izzo is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the special teams coordinator for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rice Owls and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Miami Dolphins in 1996. A three-time Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro selection for the New England Patriots, he won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and one as a coach with the New York Giants.

Marcus Dwayne Tubbs is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for three seasons with Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played as a backup right tackle for the Seahawks in Super Bowl XL, after being selected by them 23rd overall in the 2004 NFL draft. He was an All-Big 12 conference player playing college football for the Texas Longhorns, with whom he later served as the director of football operations. In 2016 he became as assistant athletics director for football operations at the University of Houston.

The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League (NFL).

The 2003 NFL season was the 84th regular season of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey Ruegamer</span> American football player, coach, and executive (born 1976)

Christopher Grey Ruegamer [ROO-gah-mer] is an American former professional football player who was a center, and currently is the director of player engagement for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona State and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft.

Anthony Lamar Banks is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans. Selected by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft, Banks also was a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, and Houston Texans. With the Ravens, he was part of the team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Bentley</span> American football player (born 1979)

Kevin Kinte Bentley is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL draft. He played college football at Northwestern. Bentley went to high school at Montclair Prep in Van Nuys where he spent three years under the coaching of George Ginnanni and defensive coordinator John Greaves.

Andrew Robert Heck is an American football coach and former player. He is the offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. He played tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons. He was drafted in the 1989 NFL draft with the 15th overall selection in the first round by the Seattle Seahawks He played college football at the University of Notre Dame. He also played for the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins.

Ephraim Mateen Salaam is a former American football offensive tackle. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL draft. He played college football at San Diego State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Thomas (American football)</span> American football player (born 1983)

John David Thomas is a former American football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2006 NFL draft, and also played for the New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charley Casserly</span> American football executive (born 1949)

Charley Casserly is an American football analyst and former executive. Casserly was the general manager of the National Football League (NFL)'s Washington Redskins and Houston Texans, winning three Super Bowls with Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duane Brown</span> American football player (born 1985)

Duane Anthony Brown is an American professional football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies and was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft. Brown has also played for the Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Thomas</span> American football player (born 1989)

Earl Winty Thomas III is an American former professional football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and received consensus All-American honors and played in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. He left after his redshirt sophomore year and he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. During his time with the Seahawks, he made 6 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pro teams as he was a core member of the Legion of Boom defense, winning Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos and started in Super Bowl XLIX. After nine seasons with Seattle, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent and played one season while earning his 7th Pro Bowl invite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Irvin</span> American football player (born 1987)

Bruce Pernell Irvin Jr. is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round with the 15th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. Irvin won Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos, and also played in Super Bowl XLIX where he became the first player ever to be ejected from a Super Bowl. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie Hillman</span> American football player (1991–2022)

Ronald Keith Ryan Hillman Jr. was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs, earning third-team All-American honors as a sophomore in 2011. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft and was a member of their team that won Super Bowl 50. Hillman later spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys.

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

Jeremy Rashaad Lane is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Northwestern State University of Louisiana and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He became a member of the Legion of Boom, and was part of Seattle's Super Bowl XLVIII-winning team over the Denver Broncos.

References

  1. ↑ Chester Pitts bio and stats, nflplayers.com, archived from the original on June 29, 2007, retrieved February 7, 2008
  2. ↑ "2002 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Chester Pitts". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Chester Pitts officially retires with Houston Texans". USA Today. April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  5. ↑ "NFL Football Highlights, Clips & Analysis". NFL.com .
  6. ↑ Markazi, Arash (January 28, 2008), Story time: Pair of Texans reminisce at filming of Super Bowl ad, Sports Illustrated, archived from the original on February 4, 2008, retrieved February 3, 2008
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.