Pete Giftopoulos

Last updated

Pete Giftopoulos
Date of birth (1965-06-14) June 14, 1965 (age 59)
Place of birth Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Career information
CFL status National
Position(s) Linebacker
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight240 lb (110 kg)
US college Penn State
CFL draft 1988 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6
Drafted by Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career history
As player
1988–1995 Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Career highlights and awards

Peter Giftopoulos (born June 14, 1965) is a former Canadian football linebacker who played eight years for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Giftopoulos played college football at Penn State.

Contents

College career

After playing on the defensive line at Cathedral High School in Hamilton, Ontario, Giftopoulos committed to play college football at Penn State as a linebacker. He chose Penn State over Michigan, Notre Dame and Syracuse. [1] After starting his freshman season on the defensive line, Giftopoulos was shifted to tight end. [1] He was later moved to linebacker and gained a starting role before his junior season, earning the spot over Mike Beckish. [2]

Giftopoulos recorded a sack and two interceptions, including the game-sealing pick in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl. [3] [1] During the following spring, he broke his tibia after a teammate fell on it in practice, [4] and a knee injury derailed his senior season. [5]

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

After not being selected in the 1988 NFL draft, Giftopoulos signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 11, 1988. [6] He was released by the Steelers on August 23. [7]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders selected Giftopoulos with the sixth overall pick in the 1988 CFL entry draft. [5] After being cut by the Steelers, Giftopoulos refused to report to practice and asked for a trade. [8]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats traded for Giftopoulos and a second-round draft selection in exchange for two other players. [9] He initially spent time at linebacker, but then moved to defensive line, then offensive line, then back to linebacker. [10]

Personal life

Pete's father Paul Giftopoulos was a professional soccer player in Greece before immigrating to Canada. [4] Two of Pete's brothers also played college football. [11] Pete also played basketball and soccer in high school and threw shot put. [4]

After his playing career ended, Giftopoulos became a restaurant entrepreneur in Hamilton and later returned to Penn State for kinesiology classes. [2] He married and had children. [12]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Prato, Lou (February 20, 2020). "Northern Stars: Looking Back at Penn State's Canadian Connections". Blue White Illustrated. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Missanelli, MG (2007). The Perfect Season: How Penn State Came to Stop a Hurricane and Win a National Championship. University Park, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University Press. pp. 56–60. ISBN   978-0271045078.
  3. ↑ Weinreb, Michael. "The Night College Football Went To Hell". ESPN E-Magazine. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 Demak, Richard (August 15, 1987). "Pete Giftopoulos". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Rider prospect passed in NFL draft". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. April 26, 1988. Retrieved September 15, 2020– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Steelers Sign Pete Giftopoulos". Tyrone Daily Herald. May 11, 1988. Retrieved September 15, 2020– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Roughriders courting Giftopoulos". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. August 23, 1988. Retrieved September 15, 2020– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Former Penn State football hero is part of Canadian league trade". The Californian. September 6, 1988. Retrieved September 15, 2020– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Kerr, Grant (November 24, 1989). "Pete Giftopoulos". The Leader-Post. Retrieved September 15, 2020– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Iovino, Jim (November 18, 1995). "In Canada, Pete Giftopoulos proves you can go home again -- and be successful". Daily Collegian. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  11. ↑ Brennan, Mark (June 7, 2020). "Countdown to Kickoff: 90 days until Penn State football". Lions247. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Memories: Giftopoulos savors Fiesta". Intelligencer Journal. September 16, 1999. Retrieved September 15, 2020– via Newspapers.com.
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