Andre Gurode
{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1978)}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Andre Gurode
| image = Andre Gurode.JPG
| alt =
| caption = Gurode with the Dallas Cowboys in 2009
| current_team = Colorado Buffaloes
| number =
| position = Assistant offensive line coach
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|3|6|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 320
| high_school = North Shore (Houston, Texas)
| college = Colorado (1998–2001)
| draftyear = 2002
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 37
| pastteams = * Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2002}}–{{NFL Year|2010}})
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2011}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2012}})
- Oakland Raiders ({{NFL Year|2013}})
| pastcoaching = * Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2019}})
Defensive assistant
- Houston Roughnecks ({{XFL Year|2023}})
Offensive line coach - San Antonio Brahmas ({{XFL Year|2024}})
Offensive line coach - Colorado (2025–present)
Assistant offensive line coach
| highlights = * First-team All-Pro (2007)
- Second-team All-Pro (2009)
- 5× Pro Bowl (2006–2010)
- Consensus All-American (2001)
- 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2000, 2001)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 161
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 131
| statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue3 = 2
| pfr = GuroAn20
}}
Andre Bernard Gurode ({{IPAc-en|dʒ|ə|ˈ|r|ɒ|d}}; born March 6, 1978) is an American football coach and former player who is the assistant offensive line coach for the Colorado Buffaloes of the Big XII (NCAA). He played as a center and guard in the National Football League (NFL). Gurode played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes, earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. During his eight seasons with Dallas, he was named to five Pro Bowls. In his final three seasons, Gurode spent one year each with the Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, and Oakland Raiders.
Early life
Gurode was born in Houston, Texas.{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Mark |date=September 16, 2020 |title=Homegrown Legends: Houston's greatest products come home as virtual Texans |url=https://texanswire.usatoday.com/lists/homegrown-legends-best-nfl-players-from-houston-beaumont-southeast-texas/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Texans Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Drummond |first=K. D. |date=January 31, 2011 |title=Where Did That Guy Come From? Andre Gurode And Dallas Cowboys Interior Linemen |url=https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011/1/31/1964270/where-did-that-guy-come-from-andre-gurode-and-dallas-cowboys-interior |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Blogging The Boys |language=en}} He played high school football at North Shore High School in Houston.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode - Football |url=https://cubuffs.com/sports/football/roster/andre-gurode/4486 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=University of Colorado Athletics |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Mark |date=April 20, 2020 |title=Cowboys hit it big with Roy Williams, Andre Gurode in 2002 NFL Draft |url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/dallas-cowboys-roy-williams-andre-gurode-2002-nfl-draft/287-97c2c5b8-0d0d-40e7-9e59-ce4a268e4d35 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=WFAA |language=en-US}} As a senior, USA Today, PrepStar and SuperPrep selected him as an honorable mention high school All-America. He was also named to the Houston Chronicle Top 100 List and made the Austin American-Statesman "Fab 55" team. He earned All-Area honors as a senior (second-team honors as a junior), and was All-District and All-Greater Houston as a junior and senior (when he also was his team's most outstanding offensive lineman).
Gurode lettered three times in basketball and four times in track with personal bests of 186' 0" in the discus and 54' 1" in the shot put.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}
College career
Gurode attended the University of Colorado, where he played for the Colorado Buffaloes football team from 1998 to 2001.{{Cite web |date=May 28, 2010 |title=Brooks: Andre Gurode Dreams Big, But Not For Himself |url=https://cubuffs.com/news/2010/5/28/204951371 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=University of Colorado Athletics |language=en}} He was a four-year starter for the Buffaloes, playing both center and guard on the offensive line. He started his first two and a half seasons at center, before moving to guard in the middle of his junior year. As a junior in 2000, he started the first six games of the year at center and the final five games at guard. He received the John Mack Award, as selected by the coaches for being Colorado's most outstanding offensive player and was also selected honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference honors while helping the Buffaloes to a 7–5 record and a win over the Boston College Eagles in the Insight.com Bowl. As a senior, he started every game at right guard.
Gurode was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2000 and 2001, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American as a senior in 2001.2011 NCAA Football Records Book, [http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf Award Winners], National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011). Retrieved June 24, 2012. During his career he allowed just 7.5 sacks in 2,653 plays as a starter for the Buffaloes.
He earned a degree in ethnic studies from the University of Colorado, where he was a member of the school's "Academic Starters" team.
He was named to the CU Athletic Hall of Fame in the 2023 Class.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode (2023) - CU Athletic Hall of Fame |url=https://cubuffs.com/honors/cu-athletic-hall-of-fame/andre-gurode/155 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=University of Colorado Athletics |language=en}}
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Gurode initially projected as a guard and was ranked the best available in the 2002 NFL draft, along with Kendall Simmons.{{Citation |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/players.php?genpos=OG&draftyear=2002&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC |title=2002 Draft OG Ranking |work=NFLDraftScout.com |accessdate=December 25, 2009 }} He was regarded as an early second round pick,{{Citation |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2002/draft/players/99600.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021015233529/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2002/draft/players/99600.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 15, 2002 |title=Andre Gurode Draft Profile |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=April 2002 }}
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4 3/8
| weight = 316
| dash = 5.34
| ten split = 1.89
| twenty split = 3.14
| shuttle = 5.05
| cone drill = 8.15
| vertical = 30.5
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 4
| bench =
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 35
| hand span = 11
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{citation |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=59906&draftyear=2002&genpos=OG |title=Andre Gurode, Colorado, OG : 2002 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile |work=NFLDraftScout.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312104033/http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=59906&draftyear=2002&genpos=OG |accessdate=December 25, 2009 |archive-date=March 12, 2012 }}{{cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=6002 |title=Andre Gurode, Combine Results, OG - Colorado |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=October 23, 2021}}
}}
=Dallas Cowboys=
Gurode was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round, with the 37th overall pick, of the 2002 NFL draft as a center.{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/draft.htm |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He started fast by becoming the first rookie in club history to start at center on opening day.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Rob |date=April 7, 2011 |title=Dallas Cowboys: Best NFL Draft Steals of the Past Decade |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/657610-dallas-cowboys-best-nfl-draft-day-steals-in-the-past-decade |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kavner |first=Rowan |date=January 14, 2014 |title=Frederick Named Center On PFWA All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/frederick-named-center-on-pfwa-all-rookie-team-346176 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=DallasCowboys.com |language=en-US}}
It is believed 2002 was the first time an NFL franchise had five African-American starters on their offensive line, when the Cowboys lined up Gurode at center, tackles Flozell Adams and Solomon Page, guards Larry Allen and Kelvin Garmon.{{Cite web |last=Pasquarelli |first=Len |author-link=Len Pasquarelli |date=January 30, 2003 |title=Color barrier on offensive line disappearing |url=http://a.espncdn.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1417470.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}} Gurode also became part of history as the starting center on the Cowboys offensive line that helped Emmitt Smith eclipse Walter Payton as the NFL's all-time leading rusher, playing against the Seattle Seahawks on October 27. While he started the first six games of the 2002 season at center, Gurode was moved to help compensate for the number of injuries along the offensive line, compiling another eight starts at right guard.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode 2002 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuroAn20/gamelog/2002/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In 2003, Bill Parcells was hired as the Cowboys head coach and decided that Gurode's best position was at guard, starting 15 games at that position in 2003 and 13 games in 2004 with mixed results, before getting benched for the final two games.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode 2003 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuroAn20/gamelog/2003/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode 2004 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuroAn20/gamelog/2004/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
At the start of the 2005 season, Parcells accepted he made a misjudgment by moving Gurode to guard and switched him back to center, with the Cowboys also signing Marco Rivera to take his place at guard. That season, he was a versatile backup, playing behind Al Johnson at center and Rivera at right guard. He appeared in all 16 games and started two.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuroAn20/gamelog/2005/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In 2006, he rededicated himself to football and won the starting center job again, over Al Johnson. On October 1, 2006, in the third quarter of a game against the Tennessee Titans, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth stomped on Gurode's head. Haynesworth's cleats caused a laceration requiring thirty stitches.{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2006 |title=Titans DT Haynesworth nailed with five-game suspension |url=http://sportsline.com/nfl/story/9700905 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628222456/http://sportsline.com/nfl/story/9700905 |archive-date=June 28, 2008 |access-date=December 19, 2008 |website=Sportsline.com |agency=Associated Press|via=CBS SportsLine.com wire reports}} Haynesworth was ejected, and subsequently suspended by the NFL for five games without pay.{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2006 |title=Haynesworth suspended for unprecedented five games |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2610577 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}} Gurode started all 16 regular season games and one postseason game for the Cowboys in the 2006 season.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode 2006 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuroAn20/gamelog/2006/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Following the 2006 season, Gurode was named to his first Pro Bowl as an injury replacement.{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2007 |title=Gurode 7th Cowboy for Pro Bowl |url=http://sports.outsidethebeltway.com/2007/02/gurode-7th-cowboy-for-pro-bowl/index.html |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=OTB Sports}} On February 20, 2007, the Cowboys re-signed Gurode to a six-year contract worth US$30 million including a $10 million signing bonus.{{Cite web |last=Halprin |first=David |date=February 20, 2007 |title=Cowboys sign Andre Gurode to new contract |url=https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2007/2/20/102451/336 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Blogging The Boys |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Clayton |first=John |date=February 20, 2007 |title=Cowboys reach six-year deal with No. 1 priority Gurode |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2771981 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
Gurode developed into one of the league's most respected centers since returning to being a full-time starter in 2006. He started in 14 regular season games and one postseason game in the 2007 season.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode 2007 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuroAn20/gamelog/2007/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He started in all 16 games in the 2008 season.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode 2008 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuroAn20/gamelog/2008/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He started in all 16 games in the 2009 season.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuroAn20/gamelog/2009/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the 2010 season, he started in all 16 regular season games.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuroAn20/gamelog/2010/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was selected to the Sporting News All-Pro Team (2007, Pro Football Writers 2009),{{Cite web |title=2007 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/allpro.htm |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2009 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/allpro.htm |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} as well as to five straight Pro Bowls (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010).{{Cite magazine |last=Schaible |first=Brian |date=July 11, 2023 |title=Gurode and Solder headline Colorado's 2023 Hall of Fame class |url=https://www.si.com/college/colorado/buffs-stuff/gurode-and-solder-headline-colorados-2023-hall-of-fame-class |access-date=November 24, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} He was ranked 57th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.{{Cite web |title=2011 NFL Top 100 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2011-nfl-top-100.htm |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
He had offseason left knee surgery and missed the 2011 season training camp and three out of four preseason games. With the emergence of second-year player Phil Costa, he was released after the preseason following failed negotiations regarding a restructured contract.{{Cite web |last1=Aron |first1=Jaime |last2=Writer |first2=AP Pro Football |date=August 29, 2011 |title=Gurode's departure shows Garrett means business |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-gurodes-departure-shows-garrett-means-business-2011aug29-story.html |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}
=Baltimore Ravens=
Gurode reportedly visited the New England Patriots before signing a 1-year, $3 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens on September 4, 2011.{{Cite web |last=Curran |first=Tom E. |date=September 3, 2011 |title=Patriots to visit with Andre Gurode |url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/patriots-to-visit-with-andre-gurode/372987/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=NBC Sports Boston |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hensley |first=Jamison |date=September 5, 2011 |title=Ravens sign Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode to one-year contract |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-andre-gurode-0905-20110904-story.html |access-date=September 6, 2011 |website=Baltimore Sun}} In the 2011 season, he appeared in 13 games and started five.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuroAn20/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Chicago Bears=
On November 27, 2012, the Chicago Bears signed Gurode after losing guards Lance Louis and Chris Spencer to injuries sustained in a game against the Minnesota Vikings on November 25.{{Cite web |last=Biggs |first=Brad |date=November 27, 2012 |title=Bears add veteran lineman Gurode |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-chicago-bears-sign-andre-gurode-20121127,0,2615470.story |access-date=November 27, 2012 |website=Chicago Tribune}} He was waived by the Bears on December 11, 2012.{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Gould-among-three-Bears-played-on-injured-reserve/12d03969-41b4-4d61-8eda-d89419979835|title=Gould among three Bears played on injured reserve|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=December 11, 2012|accessdate=December 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327221106/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Gould-among-three-Bears-placed-on-injured-reserve/12d03969-41b4-4d61-8eda-d89419979835|archive-date=March 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}
=Oakland Raiders=
On July 26, 2013, Gurode signed with the Oakland Raiders.{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Jerry |date=July 26, 2013 |title=Oakland Raiders sign veteran lineman Andre Gurode |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_23742202/oakland-raiders-sign-veteran-lineman-andre-gurode |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=San Jose Mercury News}} He played in ten games and started four for the Raiders in the 2013 season.{{Cite web |title=Andre Gurode 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GuroAn20/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} At the end of the 2013 NFL season, Gurode became a free agent.
Coaching career
Gurode was officially hired by the Houston Roughnecks on September 13, 2022{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2022 |title=XFL Finalizes Coaching and Football Operations Staffs for All Eight Teams |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/xfl-finalizes-coaching-and-football-operations-staffs-for-all-eight-teams |access-date=December 30, 2022 |website=XFL.com |language=en}} On January 1, 2024, it was announced the Roughnecks Staff would not be a part of the UFL Merger.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Mookie |date=2023-12-31 |title=Report: RIP, Seattle Sea Dragons?! |url=https://www.fieldgulls.com/2023/12/31/24020800/report-seattle-sea-dragons-not-part-usfl-xfl-merger-ufl-news |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Field Gulls |language=en}} He was transferred over to the San Antonio Brahmas along with Wade Phillips.{{Cite web |last=Luca |first=Greg |date=2024-01-22 |title=San Antonio Brahmas roster, staff taking shape under new coach Wade Phillips |url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/san-antonio-brahmas-taking-shape-new-coach-wade-18621732.php |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=San Antonio Express-News |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
{{footballstats|pfr=G/GuroAn20}}
- [https://cubuffs.com/sports/football/roster/andre-gurode/4486 Colorado Buffaloes bio]
{{2001 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Cowboys2002DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gurode, Andre}}
Category:All-American college football players
Category:American football centers
Category:American football offensive guards
Category:Baltimore Ravens players
Category:Colorado Buffaloes football players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:Houston Roughnecks coaches
Category:San Antonio Brahmas coaches
Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players
Category:Oakland Raiders players
Category:Players of American football from Houston