Anthony Fasano
Encyclopedia
Anthony Joseph Fasano is an American football
tight end
for the Miami Dolphins
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Notre Dame
. His nickname is Seymore after the character in the hit musical "Little Shop of Horrors."
at Verona High School in Verona, New Jersey
, where he was a four-year letterman as a tight end
and defensive lineman. During his senior season in 2001, he caught 78 passes for 1,460 yards and 23 touchdowns as a tight end while also adding 119 solo tackles as a senior. He set both season and career touchdown receptions records for the county (23 and 42, respectively). He also set school records in receptions in a season and career, touchdowns in a season and solo tackles in a season. Fasano finished his career with 168 catches and more than 2,500 yards and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
.
Fasano also earned eight letters in other sports, including four in basketball
, two in baseball
and two in track
. During his first baseball outing as a freshman, he pitched a one-hitter. He was a two-time all-league selection in baseball, three-time all-conference selection in track and a two-time captain in basketball.
He was raised Roman Catholic.
in 2002, Fasano failed to see playing time. The following season, he appeared in 11 games while starting three. He finished the season with 18 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Fasano caught four passes for 33 yards, including first career touchdown on a two-yard pass from Brady Quinn
, against USC.
In 2004, Fasano started nine of the 11 games in which he appeared for the Fighting Irish. In a game against Purdue
, Fasano earned John Mackey
National Tight End of the Week honors after catching eight passes for 155 yards (a school record). He also caught two touchdowns in a game against Washington
. Fasano finished the season with 27 receptions for 367 yard and four touchdowns.
During his 2005 senior season, Fasano caught 47 passes for 576 yards (both third on the team) and two touchdowns. His touchdown catches on the season came against Navy
and Tennessee
, both on passes from Brady Quinn. He was one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award
, given annually to the nation's top tight end.
Fasano finished his collegiate career with 92 catches for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns. He left the school ranking second all-time in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end.
Prior to the 2006 NFL Draft
, Fasano visited with the Dallas Cowboys
, New York Jets
, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
and Washington Redskins
.
tight end Jason Witten
, the Dallas Cowboys
drafted
Fasano in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft
. It was reported that Fasano reminded then-head coach Bill Parcells
of former NFL tight end Mark Bavaro
, who played under Parcells with the New York Giants
. Fasano agreed to terms on a contract with the Cowboys on July 27.
During his rookie season with the Cowboys, Fasano appeared in all 16 games while starting five. He became the third rookie tight end in franchise history to start the season opener when he opened the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars
on September 10. He finished the season with 14 catches for 126 yards, and was also part of a blocking unit that helped running back
Julius Jones
rush for over 1,000 yards.
A shoulder injury bothered Fasano throughout training camp and preseason in 2007, but he went on to appear in every one of the team's regular season games while starting six of them. He caught his first career touchdown on a 26-yard pass from Tony Romo
against the Green Bay Packers
on November 29. He suffered a mild concussion in the team's Week 15 contest but did not miss a game. Fasano finished the season with 14 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown.
For his efforts during the 2007 season, Fasano earned an additional $104,865 from the NFL's Performance-Based Pay program. Following the year, He underwent shoulder surgery in January 2008.
agreed to acquire Fasano, along with linebacker
Akin Ayodele
, from the Cowboys in exchange for a fourth-round pick (100th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft
. Dolphins executive vice president Bill Parcells
, general manager Jeff Ireland
, head coach Tony Sparano
and other assistants were with the Cowboys organization when Fasano was drafted in 2006. The pick sent to Dallas for Fasano was eventually traded to the Oakland Raiders
, who used it to select cornerback
Tyvon Branch
.
During training camp in August, Fasano switched from No. 81 to No. 80 after fellow tight end
Aaron Halterman
, who had previously worn No. 80, was waived/injured.
On November 16, 2010, he signed a contract extension with the Dolphins for two years worth up to $7.75 million.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
for the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
. His nickname is Seymore after the character in the hit musical "Little Shop of Horrors."
Early years
Fasano attended and played high school footballHigh school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
at Verona High School in Verona, New Jersey
Verona, New Jersey
Verona is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 13,332.In 2008, New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Verona #1 in Essex County and #3 in New Jersey as "Top Places to Live in New Jersey".-History:Verona and several...
, where he was a four-year letterman as a tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
and defensive lineman. During his senior season in 2001, he caught 78 passes for 1,460 yards and 23 touchdowns as a tight end while also adding 119 solo tackles as a senior. He set both season and career touchdown receptions records for the county (23 and 42, respectively). He also set school records in receptions in a season and career, touchdowns in a season and solo tackles in a season. Fasano finished his career with 168 catches and more than 2,500 yards and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
U.S. Army All-American Bowl
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a high school football all-star game held in early January in San Antonio, Texas. Currently played in the Alamodome, the game brings 90 of the nation's top high school football players in an East versus West matchup. In addition to the Bowl game, there is the U.S...
.
Fasano also earned eight letters in other sports, including four in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, two in baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and two in track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
. During his first baseball outing as a freshman, he pitched a one-hitter. He was a two-time all-league selection in baseball, three-time all-conference selection in track and a two-time captain in basketball.
He was raised Roman Catholic.
College career
As a freshman at the University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
in 2002, Fasano failed to see playing time. The following season, he appeared in 11 games while starting three. He finished the season with 18 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Fasano caught four passes for 33 yards, including first career touchdown on a two-yard pass from Brady Quinn
Brady Quinn
Brayden Tyler "Brady" Quinn is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Quinn was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.-Early Years:Brayden Tyler "Brady" Quinn was born on...
, against USC.
In 2004, Fasano started nine of the 11 games in which he appeared for the Fighting Irish. In a game against Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers football
The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of...
, Fasano earned John Mackey
John Mackey (American football)
John Mackey was an American Football tight end who grew up in Roosevelt, Long Island and played for the Baltimore Colts and the San Diego Chargers . He played college football at Syracuse University...
National Tight End of the Week honors after catching eight passes for 155 yards (a school record). He also caught two touchdowns in a game against Washington
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
. Fasano finished the season with 27 receptions for 367 yard and four touchdowns.
During his 2005 senior season, Fasano caught 47 passes for 576 yards (both third on the team) and two touchdowns. His touchdown catches on the season came against Navy
Navy Midshipmen football
The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
and Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
, both on passes from Brady Quinn. He was one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award
John Mackey Award
The John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.The award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey....
, given annually to the nation's top tight end.
Fasano finished his collegiate career with 92 catches for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns. He left the school ranking second all-time in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end.
Pre-draft
At the NFL Scouting Combine in February 2006, Fasano measured in at 6-foot-4 and 259 pounds. However, he did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine due to an injured hamstring. At Notre Dame's Pro Day in March, Fasano posted 40-yard-dash times of 4.74 and 4.71 seconds.Prior to the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
, Fasano visited with the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
and Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
.
Dallas Cowboys
Despite the presence of All-ProAll-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
tight end Jason Witten
Jason Witten
Christopher Jason Witten is an American football tight end who plays for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Tennessee....
, the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
Fasano in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. It was reported that Fasano reminded then-head coach Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
of former NFL tight end Mark Bavaro
Mark Bavaro
Mark Bavaro is a former American football tight end who played for the New York Giants , Cleveland Browns , and Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League...
, who played under Parcells with the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Fasano agreed to terms on a contract with the Cowboys on July 27.
During his rookie season with the Cowboys, Fasano appeared in all 16 games while starting five. He became the third rookie tight end in franchise history to start the season opener when he opened the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on September 10. He finished the season with 14 catches for 126 yards, and was also part of a blocking unit that helped running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Julius Jones
Julius Jones
Julius Andre Maurice Jones is an American football running back who played college football at the University of Notre Dame and is currently a member of the Free Agent Class of the National Football League. Before signing with the Saints on October 12, 2010, Julius had stints with the Dallas...
rush for over 1,000 yards.
A shoulder injury bothered Fasano throughout training camp and preseason in 2007, but he went on to appear in every one of the team's regular season games while starting six of them. He caught his first career touchdown on a 26-yard pass from Tony Romo
Tony Romo
Antonio Ramiro "Tony" Romo is a professional American football quarterback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo's career passer rating - at 95.8 - ranks third-best all time. Tony Romo didn't play in the regular season in 2003, 2004, or 2005...
against the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
on November 29. He suffered a mild concussion in the team's Week 15 contest but did not miss a game. Fasano finished the season with 14 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown.
For his efforts during the 2007 season, Fasano earned an additional $104,865 from the NFL's Performance-Based Pay program. Following the year, He underwent shoulder surgery in January 2008.
Miami Dolphins
On April 25, 2008, the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
agreed to acquire Fasano, along with linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Akin Ayodele
Akin Ayodele
Akinola James "Akin" Ayodele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, from the Cowboys in exchange for a fourth-round pick (100th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
. Dolphins executive vice president Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
, general manager Jeff Ireland
Jeff Ireland
Jeff Ireland is the General Manager for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He has previously served as an executive for the Dallas Cowboys, a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs and an assistant coach for the North Texas Mean Green. He played college football for the Baylor Bears...
, head coach Tony Sparano
Tony Sparano
Anthony "Tony" Sparano III is an American Football head coach of the Miami Dolphins. At age 17, Sparano had an incident which burnt his eyes, which is why he always wears his signature sunglasses even at night...
and other assistants were with the Cowboys organization when Fasano was drafted in 2006. The pick sent to Dallas for Fasano was eventually traded to the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, who used it to select cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Tyvon Branch
Tyvon Branch
Tyvon A. Branch is an American football safety for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Connecticut.-Oakland Raiders:Branch was selected by the Raiders in the 4th round...
.
During training camp in August, Fasano switched from No. 81 to No. 80 after fellow tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Aaron Halterman
Aaron Halterman
Aaron Halterman is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Indiana....
, who had previously worn No. 80, was waived/injured.
On November 16, 2010, he signed a contract extension with the Dolphins for two years worth up to $7.75 million.