Pete Giftopoulos

Peter Giftopoulos (born June 14, 1965) is a Canadian former professional football linebacker who played eight years for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Giftopoulos played college football at Penn State.

College career After playing on the defensive line at Cathedral High School in Hamilton, Ontario, Giftopoulos committed to play college football at Penn State as a linebacker. He chose Penn State over Michigan, Notre Dame and Syracuse. After starting his freshman season on the defensive line, Giftopoulos was shifted to tight end. He was released by the Steelers on August 23.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders selected Giftopoulos with the sixth overall pick in the 1988 CFL entry draft. After being cut by the Steelers, Giftopoulos refused to report to practice and asked for a trade.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats traded for Giftopoulos and a second-round draft selection in exchange for two other players. He initially spent time at linebacker, but then moved to defensive line, then offensive line, then back to linebacker.

Personal life Pete's father Paul Giftopoulos was a professional soccer player in Greece before immigrating to Canada. Two of Pete's brothers also played college football. Pete also played basketball and soccer in high school and threw shot put. He married and had children.