John Gesek

Last updated

John Gesek
No. 63, 67, 75
Position: Guard
Center
Personal information
Born: (1963-02-18) February 18, 1963 (age 61)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:282 lb (128 kg)
Career information
High school: San Ramon Valley (Danville, California)
College: Sacramento State
NFL draft: 1987  / Round: 10 / Pick: 265
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:123
Games started:94
Fumble recoveries:3
Player stats at PFR

John Christian Gesek Jr. (born February 18, 1963) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Sacramento State Hornets and was selected in the 10th round of the 1987 NFL draft. Gesek won two Super Bowls with the Cowboys over the Buffalo Bills as a starting offensive lineman.

Contents

Early life

Gesek attended San Ramon Valley High School, as a freshman and senior, transferring to Bellflower High School for his sophomore and junior seasons. He was a two-way player on the offensive and defensive line.

After graduation he moved on to Diablo Valley College where he did not participate in sports. As a sophomore, he transferred to Sacramento State University during its non-scholarship Division II years. He played defensive end, tallying 34 tackles and 4 sacks.

As a junior, he moved to offensive tackle and found a starting spot at right tackle. As a senior, he was the only returning starter on an offensive line that helped post 400.5 yards per game and won the Western Football Conference title.

In 1996, he was inducted into the Sacramento State Football Hall of Fame. The school also created the annual "John Gesek Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award" in his honor.

Professional career

Los Angeles Raiders

Gesek was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 10th round (265th overall) of the 1987 NFL draft. [1] As a rookie, he appeared in 3 games (one start), before being placed on the injured reserve list on September 7 with a knee injury. [2]

The next season after Charley Hannah suffered a season ending knee injury, he started 6 games between left guard and center, but was placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury on November 30, missing the last 3 contests. [3]

In 1989, he was the full-time starter at right guard where he started all 16 games. After the Raiders signed Max Montoya in Plan B free agency, Gesek became expendable and was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fifth round draft choice (#124-Ben Coates) on September 3, 1990. [4] [5]

Dallas Cowboys

In 1990, he passed Kevin Gogan on the depth chart and became the starter at right guard in the fifth game of the season. Gesek was the starter at right guard during his first three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, including Super Bowl XXVII.

In 1991, he started the first 14 games at right guard until suffering a left ankle sprain against the New Orleans Saints. The next game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he was limited to only short yardage situations, but was able to recover for the rest of the season and the playoffs. The offensive line helped Emmit Smith lead the league with 365 carries for 1,563 rushing yards.

In 1992, he started all 16 games at right guard. The offensive line helped the offense rank fourth in the league in total offense, fifth in rushing and passing. It also contributed to Smith winning his second consecutive NFL rushing title with 1,713 yards. He was a part of the XXVII winning team.

In 1993, he was injured in a pre-season game against the Raiders and was replaced by Kevin Gogan and remained in a reserve role, until Mark Stepnoski suffered a knee injury against the Minnesota Vikings in the 13th game of the season. After trying Frank Cornish as the replacement at center, the team settled on Gesek for the playoffs run and Super Bowl XXVIII. [6]

His role in one of the greatest offensive lines in NFL history was detailed in NFL Network's 2013 A Football Life: "The Great Wall of Dallas". Before the start of the 1994 season, with four Cowboys offensive linemen declared as free agents, the Cowboys focused on re-signing guard Nate Newton, and Gesek became a sought after free agent and opted to change teams.

Washington Redskins

After fielding offers from several teams, including the Los Angeles Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, he signed a contract on March 16, 1994 as a free agent with the Washington Redskins, reuniting him with head coach Norv Turner, who was his offensive coordinator with the Cowboys. Although he had played most of his career at guard, the Washington Redskins signed him as a free agent to play center and allow the move of Raleigh McKenzie to right guard. [7]

Gesek was the starting center during his 2 seasons with the team. In 1995, he started 12 games at center and four at right guard, despite being limited with pain in his neck and arm, caused by a bulging disk in his neck, which eventually forced him to retire. [8] On August 20, 1996, he was waived injured and was replaced with a platoon of Jeff Uhlenhake and Cory Raymer. Gesek was ultimately granted his tenth year through arbitration when it was found the Redskins released him while injured. [9]

Personal life

After retiring from the NFL, Gesek became an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and founder of Optimus Capital Advisors, where he continues in his role as a financial advisor and firm principal. He is married to Gina and has four grown children, daughters Presley, Audra, Payton and son Tanner, as well as granddaughter Evaliah. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Allen</span> American football player (1971–2024)

Larry Christopher Allen Jr. was an American professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 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.

Brian David Baldinger is a former professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, and Philadelphia Eagles. He covered Philadelphia Eagles preseason games as an analyst with Scott Graham for several years. He currently works for NFL Network, where he serves as an analyst for the television show NFL Total Access. He played college football at Duke University.

Anthony Tyrone Slaton is a former American football center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Southern California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrick Dockery</span> American football player (born 1980)

Derrick Dewayne Dockery is an American former professional football guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Texas.

Dale Robert Hellestrae is a former American football long snapper in the National Football League (NFL) for the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and Baltimore Ravens. He played college football at Southern Methodist University.

John Hugh Niland is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Kevin Patrick Gogan is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and San Diego Chargers. He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected in the eighth round by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1987 NFL draft. With the Cowboys, Gogan won Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII, both over the Buffalo Bills.

Derek Craig Kennard is an American former professional football player who was a guard and center in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Los Angeles Express in the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack.

Ron Christopher Stone is an American former professional football guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders. He played college football for the Boston College Eagles.

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

David Harold Widell, Jr. is a former American football guard and tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Boston College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Wright (American football, born 1959)</span> American football player (born 1959)

Stephen Hough Wright is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Raiders. He was also a member of the Oakland Invaders of the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football at Northern Iowa and then played eleven professional seasons with four teams from 1981 to 1992. He also appeared on Survivor: Redemption Island where he placed tenth and became the third jury member.

Raymond Frederick Schoenke is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins. He played college football at Southern Methodist University.

John Joseph Flannery is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard and center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers, Dallas Cowboys, and St. Louis Rams. He played college football for the Syracuse Orangemen.

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.

Frank Edgar Cornish IV was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Philadelphia Eagles. He was selected in the sixth round of the 1990 NFL draft. He played college football at UCLA.

Robert Leslie Shaw is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La'el Collins</span> American football player (born 1993)

La'el Collins is an American professional football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at LSU, where he won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, recognizing the Southeastern Conference's (SEC) top offensive lineman, in 2014. Collins signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

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

Jonathan Javell Cooper is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals seventh overall in the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he earned All-American honors. He also spent time with the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, and Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xavier Suʻa-Filo</span> American football player (born 1991)

Xavier Filoitumua Suʻa-Filo is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning second-team All-American honors in 2013. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parker Ehinger</span> American football player (born 1992)

Parker Ehinger is a former American football guard. He played college football at the University of Cincinnati. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ "1987 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Transactions" . Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Transactions" . Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Sports Transactions" . Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Beuerlein Returns, but Evans Is Waived : Raiders: Roster cutdown day claims former USC quarterback. Hunley, Davis join list of unemployed". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Gesek to start at center" . Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Cowboys's Gesek inks with Skins" . Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Shanahan's Broncos Beat 49ers, 9-7". Los Angeles Times . July 30, 1995. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Gesek, Injured and Cut, Wants Some More Checks". Associated Press News . Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  10. ↑ "'Video: A Football Life: The Great Wall of Dallas'- Where are they now?". NFL.com . Retrieved January 7, 2018.
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.