Thom Gatewood Explained

Thom Gatewood
Number:83
Position:Tight end, wide receiver
Birth Date:7 March 1950
Birth Place:Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Weight Lb:215
Height In:3
High School:Baltimore City College
(Baltimore, Maryland)
College:Notre Dame (1968–1971)
Draftyear:1972
Draftround:5
Draftpick:107
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:17
Collegehof:2380
Pfr:G/GateTo20

Thomas Gatewood Jr. (born March 7, 1950) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 1972 NFL draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.

College career

While at Notre Dame, Gatewood set many receiving records, many of which were not broken until at least 30 years later. During his career he had 157 receptions for 2,283 yards and 19 touchdowns. In 1970, he was a consensus All-American after a then school record 77 receptions for 1,123 yards.[1] The record was broken in 2006 by Jeff Samardzija who had 78.[2] His 157 career receptions were also a record until 2006 when both Samardzija and Rhema McKnight broke it. Gatewood still holds the record for the most catches per game in a season with 7.7.[3]

Professional career

Gatewood was drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 1972 NFL draft. He played in seventeen games over two seasons, recording no receptions.[4]

College Football Hall of Fame

On January 9, 2015, the National Football Foundation announced that Gatewood would be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame later that year.[5] [6]

Personal life

His grandson, A. J. Dillon, is an American football running back for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football for Boston College.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Football Award Winners. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 2016. October 30, 2022. 10.
  2. Web site: Vitovitch . Frank . Best of the 2000’s – #5 Jeff Samardzija . uhnd.com . 30 October 2022.
  3. Web site: Tom Gatewood . sports-reference.com . 30 October 2022.
  4. Web site: Thom Gatewood . pro-football-reference.com . 30 October 2022.
  5. Web site: Notre Dame's Thom Gatewood Named to College Football Hall of Fame . wsbt.com . 30 October 2022.
  6. Web site: Thom Gatewood . footballfoundation.com . 30 October 2022.
  7. Web site: Benbow . Julian . October 30, 2022 . With Notre Dame in his blood, A.J. Dillon takes family values to BC . September 4, 2019 . Boston Globe.