John Gesek Biography

John Christian Gesek Jr. (born February 18, 1963 in San Francisco, California) is a former American football offensive lineman who played nine seasons in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Raiders, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at California State University, Sacramento and was drafted in the tenth round of the 1987 NFL Draft.

Early years

After attending San Ramon Valley High School, he moved on to Diablo Valley College, before selecting Sacramento State University during its non-scholarship Division II years, where he started at offensive tackle.

He was inducted into the Sacramento State Football Hall of Fame and the school also created the annual "John Gesek Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award" in his honor.

Professional career

Los Angeles Raiders

Gesek was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 10th round of the 1987 NFL Draft and got chance to start one game as a rookie at right guard, before being placed on the injured reserve list on September 7. The next season after Charley Hannah suffered a season ending knee injury, he started 6 games between left guard and center, but again was placed on the injured reserve list on November 30.

In 1989, he was a full-time starter at left guard. After the Raiders signed Max Montoya in Plan B free agency, on September 3, 1990, Gesek became expendable and was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fifth round draft choice

Dallas Cowboys

Gesek was the starter at right guard during his first three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, including Super Bowl XXVII.

In 1993, he was beaten out by Kevin Gogan and remained in a reserve role, until Mark Stepnoski suffered a knee injury against the Minnesota Vikings in the 13th game of the season. After trying Frank Cornish as the replacement at center, the team settled on Gesek for the playoffs run and Super Bowl XXVIII.

His role in one of the greatest offensive lines in NFL history was detailed in NFL Network's 2013 A Football Life: "The Great Wall of Dallas."

Before the start of the 1994 season, with four Cowboys offensive linemen declared as free agents, management focused on resigning Newton and Gesek eventually decided to change teams.

Washington Redskins

In 1994, although he had played most of his career at guard, the Washington Redskins signed him as a free agent to play center and to allow the move of Raleigh McKenzie to right guard.

Gesek was the starting center during the first two years of Norv Turner as the head coach of the team. In 1995, Gesek didn't start until the fifth game because of a bulging disk in his neck, which eventually forced him to retire. In 1996, he was waived injured and was replaced with a platoon of Jeff Uhlenhake and Cory Raymer.

Personal life

Gesek became a real estate agent and financial planner. He is married to Gina and had four children, daughters Presley, Audra, and Payton and son Tanner.