Anthony E. Gonzalez (born September 18, 1984) is an American politician and a former football wide receiver. He served as the U.S. representative for from 2019 to 2023.
He played college football at Ohio State University, where he studied philosophy. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the final pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Following his sports career, which was cut short by injuries, he enrolled in graduate studies at Stanford University and earned a master's degree.
Gonzalez was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2018, sworn in on January 3, 2019, and reelected in 2020. In September 2021, Gonzalez announced he would not seek another term.
Early years
Gonzalez's maternal grandfather was a World War II veteran. His Cuban-American father immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba after Fidel Castro took power. His father is president of Ferragon Corporation, a steel company.
Gonzalez attended St. Joseph grade school in Avon Lake, Ohio, and Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was a standout in both football and track. In football, he was a two-way player. As a senior, he was a first-team All-state honoree as well as the Associated Press and The Plain Dealer Co-defensive Player of the Year, catching 71 passes for 1,873 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns. His 26.4 yards per catch set a school record. In track, he lettered for four years and qualified for the state finals as a junior and senior. Gonzalez also played basketball as a freshman. He attended Ohio State University and was an Academic All-American majoring in philosophy, in which he earned a bachelor's degree.
Football career
Collegiate
Gonzalez was a three-year letterman at Ohio State University, playing with fellow future NFL wide receivers Santonio Holmes, Ted Ginn Jr., and Roy Hall, as well as Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Troy Smith. As a junior, Gonzalez was an All-Big Ten choice by league coaches. He finished his college career playing in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game, where the Buckeyes lost to the Florida Gators 41–14.
Professional
2007 NFL Combine
Indianapolis Colts
Gonzalez was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 32nd selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, and was taken to become the Colts' slot receiver. He was one of three Ohio State receivers selected in that draft.
In Gonzalez's first year, he caught 37 passes for 576 yards and three touchdowns. The next season he caught 57 passes for 664 yards and four touchdowns.
In 2009, Gonzalez earned the starting wide receiver position along with Reggie Wayne after Marvin Harrison was released from the team in the off-season. He injured his right knee during the season opener against Jacksonville Jaguars and was expected to miss up to eight weeks. He failed to return that season and was placed on injured reserve on December 24.
In 2010, Gonzalez lost the starting wide receiver position due to missing the 2009 season. He played in a total of two games as a slot receiver with five catches for 67 yards and no touchdowns. He injured his left leg in week eight against the Houston Texans and was placed on Injured Reserve for the rest of the year.
Gonzalez's role in the Colts offense diminished even further during the 2011 season. He played in only eight games and did not catch a pass. He became an unrestricted free agent in the following off-season.
During Gonzalez's time with Indianapolis, the Colts won three AFC South Division titles (2007, 2009, 2010), an AFC Championship (2009), and a trip to Super Bowl XLIV.
New England Patriots
On March 17, 2012, Gonzalez signed with the New England Patriots. The Patriots released him on May 29, 2012.
Career statistics
Regular season
Playoffs
Retirement
Gonzalez decided to retire from sports and enrolled in the Stanford Graduate School of Business in September 2012, from which he received a master of business administration degree.