Early life

Del Gaizo grew up in Revere, Massachusetts while performing as the star quarterback for the Revere Patriots. He still holds Revere High's most notable passing records.

Career

After playing college football at both Syracuse University and the University of Tampa, Del Gaizo went undrafted by any NFL team in an unusual NFL draft that saw only three quarterbacks taken in the first six rounds and only 17 total selected in the entire 17 rounds. Del Gaizo is one of only two quarterbacks ever to play at Tampa who appeared in the NFL. He made the 1971 Dolphins roster as an undrafted free agent, and spent the 1971 season as the third string quarterback.

His rookie season (his second season although his first one on an active roster), he was the backup quarterback in four appearances during the Miami Dolphins' undefeated 17-0 season in 1972 that culminated in a victory in Super Bowl VII. Del Gaizo completed 5 of 9 passes for two touchdowns and one interception. He also lost one fumble.

The Dolphins did not retain his services for the 1973 season; however, his stock had risen after two good preseasons coupled with his game performances in the 1972 season, and he was traded to the Packers for two second round picks (one in 1974 and one in 1975). Green Bay is where he saw his most extensive game action, appearing in eight games while starting three. He suffered a separated shoulder early, and his final statistics were: 27 completions in 69 passing attempts with two touchdowns, six interceptions, and one fumble. In the strike season of 1974, he was traded to the Giants for a third round draft pick.

Del Gaizo's final season was spent with the Giants, where he appeared in four games (one start), completing 12 of 32 passes with no touchdowns and three interceptions. The Giants released him and Del Gaizo never appeared in another NFL regular season game. However, he was re-signed by the Dolphins for the second half of the 1975 season after injuries had sidelined both Bob Griese and Earl Morrall, and was on the roster for the final three games of the season, but did not play.

He was invited to camp the following season, and played in the 1976 pre-season for the Dolphins, where he completed 25 passes out of 40 attempts, for 372 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions; however, he was cut by the Dolphins. Del Gaizo entertained starting job offers from both the Atlanta Falcons and the Buffalo Bills, as well as a back-up offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers (which he was quoted as saying later he should have probably accepted); however, disillusioned with both pro football and the Miami Dolphins (where he felt he had earned his spot), he decided to retire at the age of 29.

Since retirement, Del Gaizo has enjoyed a successful career as a mortgage broker.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]