James Guarantano
Encyclopedia
James Guarantano is a former American football
wide receiver
for the NFL's
San Diego Chargers
and the CFL's
Baltimore Colts
. He was also a former standout wide receiver while playing college football
at Rutgers University
.
In the 1991 season, Guarantano collected 740 yards, on 62 receptions, which was tops in the Big East. That was highlighted by a game against Temple
on November 17, 1991, when Rutgers clinched its first winning season in four years. Guarantano caught a 70-yard touchdown pass, allowing the Scarlet Knights to finish with a 6-5 record, their first winning season since going 6-5 in 1987. Following the season, he was named to the All Big East Second Team.
Guarantano would follow that up in 1992 with 56 receptions for 755 yards (13.5 yards per catch) and six touchdowns. One of those touchdowns came in a dramatic victory over Pittsburgh
on September 18, 1992. Guarantano caught a 33 yard score to send Rutgers to a 7-0 halftime lead, and Rutgers would go on to win 21-16. For his efforts, Guarantano was named to the All Big East First Team, and was a UPI
Honorable Mention All American.
before he signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers
on April 30, 1993. He was released on May 5, 1993. Following his stint in the NFL, Guarantano would play for the Baltimore Colts
of the CFL
from 1994-1997.
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...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the NFL's
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...
San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the CFL's
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
Baltimore Colts
Baltimore Stallions
The Baltimore Stallions were a Canadian Football League team based in Baltimore, Maryland, which played the 1994 and 1995 seasons. They were the most successful American team in the Canadian Football League, having two winning seasons and a division title. In 1995 they became the only American team...
. He was also a former standout wide receiver while playing 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 Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
.
College career
Guarantano played for Rutgers from 1989-92.In the 1991 season, Guarantano collected 740 yards, on 62 receptions, which was tops in the Big East. That was highlighted by a game against Temple
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
on November 17, 1991, when Rutgers clinched its first winning season in four years. Guarantano caught a 70-yard touchdown pass, allowing the Scarlet Knights to finish with a 6-5 record, their first winning season since going 6-5 in 1987. Following the season, he was named to the All Big East Second Team.
Guarantano would follow that up in 1992 with 56 receptions for 755 yards (13.5 yards per catch) and six touchdowns. One of those touchdowns came in a dramatic victory over Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
on September 18, 1992. Guarantano caught a 33 yard score to send Rutgers to a 7-0 halftime lead, and Rutgers would go on to win 21-16. For his efforts, Guarantano was named to the All Big East First Team, and was a UPI
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
Honorable Mention All American.
College Legacy
When Guaranto graduated in 1992, he left as one of the most prolific receivers in school history. Guarantano was second All-Time in Scarlet Knight history in yards (2,065), first in receptions (158) and third in touchdowns (11). In 1999, he was inducted into the Rutgers football Hall of Fame.Professional career
Guarantano discussed a possible contract with the New York GiantsNew 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...
before he signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on April 30, 1993. He was released on May 5, 1993. Following his stint in the NFL, Guarantano would play for the Baltimore Colts
Baltimore Stallions
The Baltimore Stallions were a Canadian Football League team based in Baltimore, Maryland, which played the 1994 and 1995 seasons. They were the most successful American team in the Canadian Football League, having two winning seasons and a division title. In 1995 they became the only American team...
of the CFL
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
from 1994-1997.