Chon Gallegos
{{Short description|American football player (1939–2023)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Chon Gallegos
| image =
| caption =
| position = Quarterback
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1939|9|28}}
| birth_place = Gallup, New Mexico, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|1|17|1939|9|28}}
| death_place = San Jose, California, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 9
| weight_lbs = 175
| high_school = James Lick (San Jose)
| college = San Jose State
| undraftedyear = 1962
| pastteams =
- Oakland Raiders ({{NFL Year|1962}})
- San Jose Apaches (1967)
| highlights =
- NCAA passing touchdowns leader (1961)
- Pop Warner Trophy (1961)
- Second-team All-PCC (1961)
| pfr = G/GallCh00
}}
Chon Fernando Gallegos (September 28, 1939 – January 17, 2023) was an American football quarterback. He played college football for the San Jose State Spartans, leading the country in passing touchdowns and completion percentage in 1961. He played professionally with the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League (AFL).
Early life and college
Chon Fernando Gallegos was born on September 28, 1939, in Gallup, New Mexico. He attended James Lick High School in San Jose, California.{{cite web | url=http://www.esuhsdef.org/2011/11/chon-gallegos/ | title=Chon Gallegos | publisher=esuhsdef.org | accessdate=13 August 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305090623/http://www.esuhsdef.org/2011/11/chon-gallegos/ | archive-date=5 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}
Gallegos first played college football at San Jose City College. He then transferred to play for the San Jose State Spartans of San Jose State University from 1959 to 1961. He completed 13 of 27 passes (48.1%) for 158 yards, one touchdown, and nine interceptions in 1959, 30 of 56 passes (53.6%) for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in 1960, and 117 of 197 passes (59.4%) for 1,480 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 1961. Gallegos led the country in completions, completion percentage, and passing touchdowns during the 1961 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/chon-gallegos-1.html | title=Chon Gallegos | publisher=Sports Reference | accessdate=22 May 2025}} He won the Pop Warner Trophy in 1961 and was also named second-team All-PCC.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1rBeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=py8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6033%2C1049878 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Cougars' Campbell repeats as All-Coast end |date=December 7, 1961 |page=13}}
Professional career
Gallegos signed with the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League (AFL) in 1962 after going undrafted.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/g/gall01600.html | title=Chon Gallegos Transactions | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=22 May 2025}} He played in six games for the Raiders during the 1962 season, completing 18 of 35 passes (51.4%) for 298 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GallCh00.htm | title=Chon Gallegos | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=22 May 2025}}
Gallegos played for the San Jose Apaches of the Continental Football League in 1967, competing 54 of 96 passes (56.3%) for 698 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Post-playing career
Following his player career, he coached at James Lick High School and Santa Teresa High School. At James Lick, he served as Jim Plunkett's coach and at Santa Teresa he oversaw Rich Campbell and Craig Whelihan.{{Cite news |last=Kroichick |first=Ron |date=May 5, 1999 |title=Portraits In Pride |url=http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/PORTRAITS-IN-PRIDE-A-Cinco-De-Mayo-look-at-the-2932549.php |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |location=San Francisco |accessdate=September 22, 2016}}{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Red |date=December 12, 1979 |title=He Can Build His Own Church |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/12/archives/he-can-build-his-own-church-sports-of-the-times.html |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York City |accessdate=September 22, 2016}}{{Cite news |last=Kroichick |first=Ron |date=November 13, 1997 |title=Chargers' Whelihan Lends Quirkiness as QB |url=http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Chargers-Whelihan-Lends-Quirkiness-as-QB-2796322.php |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |location=San Francisco |accessdate=September 22, 2016}} He coached Santa Teresa High School from 1974 to 1992 and compiled a 113–77–3 record.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bayareasportsstars.com/Counties/Santa%20Clara%20Master.pdf |title=Santa Clara County |website=bayareasportsstars.com |accessdate=July 26, 2017}}
Gallegos died in San Jose, California on January 17, 2023, at the age of 83.{{cite web |title=Chon Gallegos |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/mercurynews/name/chon-gallegos-obituary?id=44277858 |website=Legacy |access-date=30 September 2023}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Footballstats |nfl=chon-gallegos |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |si= |pfr=G/GallCh00 |rotoworld= }}
- [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/chon-gallegos-1.html College stats]
{{San Jose State Spartans quarterback navbox}}
{{Pop Warner Trophy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gallegos, Chon}}
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Oakland Raiders players
Category:Continental Football League players
Category:San Jose City Jaguars football players
Category:San Jose State Spartans football players
Category:High school football coaches in California
Category:People from Gallup, New Mexico
Category:Coaches of American football from California
Category:Players of American football from San Jose, California
Category:James Lick High School alumni