Dan Garza

Daniel Robert Garza (February 21, 1924 – March 6, 2002) was an American professional football player who was an end for the New York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the New York Yanks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Texas, Central Missouri, and Oregon. He was selected by the New York Giants in the 15th round of the 1948 NFL draft.

Early life Daniel Robert Garza was born on February 21, 1924, in Anderson, South Carolina. He attended Brackenridge High School in San Antonio, Texas. He was starting right end for the Mules of Central Missouri State Teachers College in 1943. Garza then served as a Navy SEAL during World War II. He missed the 1946 season due to injury. He finished the year as Oregon's leading receiver with 21 catches for 365 yards and three touchdowns.

Professional career Garza was selected by the New York Giants in the 15th round, with the 126th overall pick, of the 1948 NFL draft and by the New York Yankees in the 7th round, with the 48th overall pick, of the 1949 AAFC draft.

After the AAFC was absorbed by the NFL, Garza and some other Yankees players were allocated to the New York Giants. He played in all 12 games, starting 10, for the Yanks during the 1951 season, catching 31 passes for 470 yards and a team-leading four touchdowns.

Personal life Garza graduated from the University of Oregon School of Dentistry in 1955. He served as a dentist in the Navy, and then in Portland, Oregon, for 33 years. He retired in 1992. Garza died of cancer on March 6, 2002, in Tucson, Arizona.