Leon Gonzalez
{{Short description|American football player (born 1963)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Leon Gonzalez
| number = 83, 89
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|9|21|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lb = 162
| high_school = Jean Ribault (FL)
| college = Bethune-Cookman
| draftyear = 1985
| draftround = 8
| draftpick = 216
| pastteams =
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1985}})
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987)*
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|1987}})
| highlights =
- 2× All-MEAC (1983, 1984)
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 6
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 68
| pfr = GonzLe20
}}
Leon Eugene Gonzalez III (born September 21, 1963) is an American former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Bethune-Cookman University.
Early life
Gonzalez attended Jean Ribault High School, where he practiced football, basketball and track. He was a teammate of future NFL wide receiver Kelvin Martin.
He accepted a football scholarship from Bethune-Cookman University.{{cite web| url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1985/05/02/pro-football-careers-loom-for-bethunes-gonzalez-bostic/ | title=Pro Football Careers Loom For Bethune's Gonzalez, Bostic | access-date=January 12, 2019}} As a freshman, his teammates gave him the nickname "Speedy" Gonzalez. As a junior, he became a starter, registering 43 receptions for 718 yards and 6 touchdowns.
As a senior, he led the MEAC in receiving with 56 receptions for 941 yards and 9 touchdowns.{{cite web| url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1985/08/21/bethune-trio-making-strong-bids-to-land-nfl-jobs/ | title=Bethune Trio Making Strong Bids To Land Nfl Jobs | access-date=January 12, 2019}} He also contributed to the team winning the Mideastern Athletic Conference Division championship.{{cite web| url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1985/09/06/brown-isnt-blue-because-gonzalez-is-a-cowboy/ | title=Brown Isn't Blue Because Gonzalez Is A Cowboy | access-date=January 12, 2019}}
Professional career
=Dallas Cowboys=
Gonzalez was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round (216th overall) of the 1985 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=1985 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1985/draft.htm |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}{{cite web| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-27-sp-6452-story.html | title=Gonzalez Makes Speedy Impression : Landry Likes the Chances of Dallas' Rookie Wide Receiver | website=Los Angeles Times | date=27 July 1985 | access-date=January 12, 2019}} He was also selected by the Orlando Renegades in the eleventh round (147th overall) of the 1985 USFL Draft. As a rookie, he was a backup wide receiver behind Mike Renfro and also returned punts. He finished with 3 receptions for 28 yards and 15 punt returns for 58 yards (3.9-yard avg.). He was waived on December 5 to be placed on the injured reserve list with a Bunion condition, and to make room for Gordon Banks.{{Cite news |date=December 6, 1985 |title=For The Record |work=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1985/12/06/for-the-record/85dacab4-b296-4a1e-8bfe-e5fba3b7a65c/ |access-date=January 12, 2019}} He was released on August 23, 1986.{{cite web| url=https://apnews.com/abf828159f297b9731dba61a25e44589 | title=The Dallas Cowboys released three players Saturday | website=Associated Press | accessdate=January 12, 2019}}
=Tampa Bay Buccaneers=
In May 1987, he signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{cite web| url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1987/05/07/little-not-drafting-irvin-was-a-mistake/ | title=Little: Not Drafting Irvin Was A Mistake | access-date=January 12, 2019}} He was released before the start of the season.
=Atlanta Falcons=
After the NFLPA strike was declared on the third week of the 1987 season, those contests were canceled (reducing the 16 game season to 15) and the NFL decided that the games would be played with replacement players. Gonzalez was signed in September to be a part of the Atlanta Falcons replacement team.{{cite web| url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1987/10/01/atlanta-falcons-98/ | title=Atlanta Falcons | access-date=January 12, 2019}} He was a backup at wide receiver. He appeared in 2 games, posting 3 receptions for 40 yards. He was cut on October 19, at the end of the strike.{{cite web| url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/10/19/NFL-Roster-Moves/2064561614400/ | title=NFL Roster Moves | accessdate=January 12, 2019}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Cowboys1985DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gonzalez, Leon}}
Category:Players of American football from Jacksonville, Florida
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players