Tony Zendejas
.jpg) Zendejas playing for the Oilers in 1985 | |
| Date of birth | May 15, 1960 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Curimeo, Mexico |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | K |
| College | Nevada |
| NFL draft |
1984 / Round: 1 (1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players) |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1983–1985 | Los Angeles Express (USFL) |
| 1985–1990 | Houston Oilers |
| 1991–1994 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1995 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 1995 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Career stats | |
| |
Tony Zendejas (born May 15, 1960) is a former college and professional American football player from Mexico. He was a placekicker in American football, playing for the Los Angeles Express, Houston Oilers, the Los Angeles Rams, the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers.
Early life
Zendejas was born in Curimeo, Michoacán, Mexico, but raised in Chino, California where he attended Chino High School excelling in soccer and football. From Chino High, Zendejas attended Santa Ana Community College and Mt.Sac and was eventually recruited by the University of Nevada at Reno head coach, Chris Ault. At UNR, Zendejas smashed kicking records which were eventually broken by younger brother Martin Zendejas.
Athletic career
Initially, he played in the United States Football League for the Los Angeles Express. He joined the National Football League when he was chosen by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players.
During his eleven seasons in the NFL Zendejas made 186 field goals in 252 attempts; he also scored 316 extra points for 874 points. He held the record for consecutive field goals made from 50 or more yards with 11 such kicks[1] until 2013 when the record was eclipsed by Blair Walsh of the Minnesota Vikings and Robbie Gould of the Chicago Bears.[2]
In 1991, he became the first kicker in NFL history to convert all of his field goal attempts, going 17 for 17.[3] He fell one missed extra point short of having the first "perfect season" for a kicker, a mark Gary Anderson reached seven years later.
Personal life
Zendejas was accused of drugging and raping a woman in January 2008, but he was acquitted of all charges in 2009. He owns and operates Zendajas Mexican Restaurant in San Dimas, CA. [4]
References
- ↑ Mayer, Larry (December 11, 2012). "Gould among three Bears played on injured reserve". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
- ↑ Breech, John (December 2, 2013). "Bears kicker Robbie Gould: Loss to Viking falls on me". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
- ↑ Zendejas stats at NFL.com
- ↑ "Zendejas not guilty of raping woman". ESPN. 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2015-07-04.
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