Anthony Fasano

Anthony Joseph Fasano (born April 20, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Fasano also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, and Miami Dolphins.

Early life Fasano attended and played high school football 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 178 passes for 3,460 yards and 47 touchdowns as a tight end while also adding 219 solo tackles as a senior.

College career As a freshman at the University of Notre Dame in 2002, Fasano failed to see playing time.

In 2004, Fasano started nine of the 11 games in which he appeared for the Fighting Irish. He went on to catch two touchdown passes that game. His touchdown catches on the season came against Navy and Tennessee, He left Notre Dame ranking second all-time in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end. shuttle = 4.34 cone drill = 6.94 vertical = 33.5 broad ft = 9 broad in = 4 bench = 19 arm span = 32 5/8 hand span = 9 1/2 note = All values from NFL Combine/Notre Dame's Pro Day

Fasano did not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in February 2006 due to an injured hamstring. with the intent of running more two-tight end sets. He suffered a mild concussion during Week 15 but did not miss a game. 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 selected in 2006.

During his first season with the Dolphins, Fasano caught 34 passes for 454 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns.

2009 season

In 2009, Fasano recorded 339 yards for two touchdowns as the Dolphins finished with a 7–9 record.

2010 season During training camp in August, Fasano switched from #81 to #80 after fellow tight end Aaron Halterman, who had previously worn #80, was waived/injured. On November 16, 2010, he signed a contract extension for two years worth up to $7.75 million. Overall, Fasano finished the 2010 season with a career-high 528 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Dolphins finished with a 7–9 record for the second consecutive year.

2011 season In 2011, Fasano recorded 32 receptions 451 yards for 5 touchdowns as the Dolphins finished with a 6–10 record.

2012 season In 2012, Fasano recorded a career-high 41 receptions for 332 yards and 5 touchdowns as the Dolphins finished with a 7–9 record.

Kansas City Chiefs 2013 season Fasano signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs on March 12, 2013. A very durable player, that year he played in only nine games due to different injuries (knee, ankle, and concussion), registering 23 receptions for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns.

2014 season Fasano had a good start to the 2014 season, but a knee contusion limited his play after week 10 and although he remained the starter, he was phased out of the offense in favor of Travis Kelce. Fasano finished the 2014 season recording 226 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was released in a salary cap move on February 26, 2015. In an episode of his podcast New Heights, Kelce credits Fasano as a mentor who modeled the professionalism and weekly routine needed to succeed in the league.

Tennessee Titans After his release from the Chiefs, on March 13, 2015, Fasano signed a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. In his first year with the Titans, Fasano recorded 289 yards and two touchdowns, which included the game-winner in overtime against the New Orleans Saints.

In 2016, Fasano recorded 8 receptions for 83 yards for 2 touchdowns as the Titans finished with a 9–7 record and narrowly missed the playoffs.

Miami Dolphins (second stint) On March 9, 2017, Fasano signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins. He finished the season with 12 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.

NFL career statistics Regular season Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost 2006 DAL 16 5 14 126 9.0 22 0 0 0 2007 DAL 16 5 14 143 10.2 26 1 0 0 2008 MIA 16 16 34 454 13.4 24 7 0 0 2009 MIA 14 14 31 339 10.9 27 2 0 0 2010 MIA 15 15 39 528 11.4 31 4 0 0 2011 MIA 15 15 32 451 14.1 35 5 0 0 2012 MIA 16 16 41 332 8.1 22 5 0 0 2013 KC 9 9 23 200 8.7 20 3 0 0 2014 KC 15 13 25 226 9.0 22 4 0 0 2015 TEN 16 11 26 289 11.1 33 2 0 0 2016 TEN 16 10 8 83 10.4 17 2 0 0 2017 MIA 16 6 12 107 8.9 29 1 0 0 Career 180 135 299 3,278 11.0 35 36 0 0

Postseason Season Team Games Receiving Fumbles GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost 2006 DAL 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 2007 DAL 1 1 1 5 5.0 5 0 0 0 2008 MIA 1 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 2013 KC 1 1 2 6 3.0 5 0 0 0 Career 4 3 3 11 3.7 5 0 0 0