Pete Giftopoulos

Peter Giftopoulos (born June 14, 1965) is a former Canadian football linebacker who played eight years for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Giftopoulos played college football at Penn State.

Pete Giftopoulos
Born: (1965-06-14) June 14, 1965
Hamilton, Ontario
Career information
CFL statusNational
Position(s)Linebacker
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight240 lb (110 kg)
CollegePenn State
CFL draft1988 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6
Drafted bySaskatchewan Roughriders
Career history
As player
1988–1995Hamilton Tiger-Cats

College career

After playing on the defensive line at Cathedral High School in Hamilton, Ontario, Giftopoulos committed to play college football at Penn State as a linebacker. He chose Penn State over Michigan, Notre Dame and Syracuse.[1] After starting his freshman season on the defensive line, Giftopoulos was shifted to tight end.[1] He was later moved to linebacker and gained a starting role before his junior season, earning the spot over Mike Beckish.[2]

Giftopoulos recorded a sack and two interceptions, including the game-sealing pick in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl.[3][1] During the following spring, he broke his tibia after a teammate fell on it in practice,[4] and a knee injury derailed his senior season.[5]

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

After not being selected in the 1988 NFL Draft, Giftopoulos signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 11, 1988.[6] He was released by the Steelers on August 23.[7]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders selected Giftopoulos with the sixth overall pick in the 1988 CFL entry draft.[5] After being cut by the Steelers, Giftopoulos refused to report to practice and asked for a trade.[8]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats traded for Giftopoulos and a second-round draft selection in exchange for two other players.[9] He initially spent time at linebacker, but then moved to defensive line, then offensive line, then back to linebacker.[10]

Personal life

Pete's father Paul Giftopoulos was a professional soccer player in Greece before immigrating to Canada.[4] Two of Pete's brothers also played college football.[11] Pete also played basketball and soccer in high school and threw shot put.[4]

After his playing career finishes, Giftopoulos became a restaurant entrepreneur in Hamilton and later returned to Penn State for kinesiology classes.[2] He married and had children.[12]

References
  1. Prato, Lou (February 20, 2020). "Northern Stars: Looking Back at Penn State's Canadian Connections". Blue White Illustrated. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  2. Missanelli, MG (2007). The Perfect Season: How Penn State Came to Stop a Hurricane and Win a National Championship. University Park, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University Press. pp. 56–60. ISBN 978-0271045078.
  3. Weinreb, Michael. "The Night College Football Went To Hell". ESPN E-Magazine. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  4. Demak, Richard (August 15, 1987). "Pete Giftopoulos". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  5. "Rider prospect passed in NFL draft". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. April 26, 1988. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Steelers Sign Pete Giftopoulos". Tyrone Daily Herald. May 11, 1988. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Roughriders courting Giftopoulos". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. August 23, 1988. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Former Penn State football hero is part of Canadian league trade". The Californian. September 6, 1988. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Kerr, Grant (November 24, 1989). "Pete Giftopoulos". The Leader-Post. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Iovino, Jim (November 18, 1995). "In Canada, Pete Giftopoulos proves you can go home again -- and be successful". Daily Collegian. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  11. Brennan, Mark (June 7, 2020). "Countdown to Kickoff: 90 days until Penn State football". Lions247. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  12. "Memories: Giftopoulos savors Fiesta". Intelligencer Journal. September 16, 1999. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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