Dan Pastorini

Dante Anthony Pastorini, born on May 26, 1949, in San Francisco, California, began his athletic career playing college football at Santa Clara University. He was recognized for his talent early on, earning second-team honors on the 1970 Little All-America college football team. Demonstrating versatility, Pastorini also played college baseball and was drafted by the New York Mets in 1967, though he ultimately chose to pursue football. His professional football journey began in 1971 when he was selected third overall by the Houston Oilers in a draft class famously known as “The Year of the Quarterback.

During his 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), Pastorini played primarily as a quarterback for the Houston Oilers from 1971 to 1979. He was known for his durability and toughness, often playing through injuries such as broken ribs and a punctured lung. His dedication led to his selection for the 1975 AFC Pro Bowl Team. A pivotal moment in his career came in 1978, his best season, where he achieved 2,473 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. After his tenure with the Oilers, he was traded to the Oakland Raiders in 1980, where he contributed to the team’s Super Bowl XV victory despite an injury that sidelined him for part of the season. He concluded his NFL career with sparse appearances for the Los Angeles Rams (1981) and Philadelphia Eagles (1982-1983).

Post-NFL, Pastorini pursued a diverse range of interests, including a career as a Top Fuel dragster driver in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) in the mid-1980s, where he notably broke the 270-mph barrier. He has also engaged in acting, appearing in films and television, and posed for Playgirl magazine. Beyond entertainment and sports, Pastorini has established himself as a respected businessman and philanthropist, involved in various high-profile projects and community work. He currently resides and works in Houston, having authored his autobiography, “Taking Flak: My Life in the Fast Lane,” released in 2011.