Tony Degrate

Anthony Degrate is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League for a single season in 1985. He played college football for the Texas [Longhorns football|Texas Longhorns], earning consensus All-American honors in 1984. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1985 NFL draft, and played professionally for the NFL's Green Bay Packers.

Early life

Degrate was born in Snyder, Texas. He attended Snyder High School, and played high school football for the Snyder Tigers.

College career

He received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where he played for coach Fred Akers' Texas Longhorns football team from 1981 to 1984. He was a first-team All-Southwest Conference selection in 1983 and 1984, and was a key member of the 1983 Longhorns team that won the SWC championship and finished 11-1. As a senior team captain in 1984, he led the team in tackles and quarterback sacks, was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, and won the Lombardi Award honoring the best lineman in college football.

Professional career

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Degrate 127th overall in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL draft. He played in a single professional game for the Green Bay Packers during the season.