Curtis Gatewood

James Curtis Gatewood (born May 18, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Vanderbilt Commodores and was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2008.

Gatewood was also a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Early life Gatewood was born to Beverly Burnette and James Gatewood in Memphis, Tennessee. Growing up, Gatewood played basketball and soccer before deciding to play football in the fourth grade. As a sophomore at White Station High School in Memphis, he played both tight end and defensive end before sitting out his junior year in football to play basketball and to run track. However, Gatewood returned to playing football as a senior and recorded 45 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries while playing weakside linebacker. On offense, Gatewood caught nine passes for 146 yards and one touchdown. Following the season he was named First-team All-Region. becoming the first recruit from Memphis to sign with Vanderbilt since 1997. On October 20, Gatewood teamed up with linebacker Marcus Buggs to sack South Carolina quarterback Blake Mitchell on consecutive downs to preserve a 17–6 lead for Vanderbilt. He ended the season with seven sacks after he predicted he'd record 15 sacks before the season. He was waived as a final cut on August 30 after spending the entire offseason with the team. He was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. However, Gatewood was released from the practice squad on September 24 in favor of linebacker Johnny Baldwin. Gatewood was re-signed to the practice squad on October 10 after Baldwin suffered a knee injury.

Kansas City Chiefs Gatewood was signed off the Redskins practice squad by the Kansas City Chiefs on November 20, 2008. He played in six games for the Chiefs recording his first career tackle on December 7 against the Denver Broncos and then another tackle on December 28 against Cincinnati. He was waived by Kansas City on April 21, 2009, following the season.

Philadelphia Eagles Gatewood was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles on August 25, 2009. He was released as a final cut on September 5.

Pittsburgh Steelers After spending almost three months unemployed, Gatewood was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad on November 19, 2009 taking the spot of Donovan Woods.

Second stint with Redskins On December 15, 2009, Gatewood was signed off Pittsburgh's practice squad by the Washington Redskins. He was cut from the roster on September 4, 2010.

Arizona Cardinals Gatewood was signed to the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad on September 7, 2010. He was released on September 21. He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 6. He was waived on August 29, 2011.