Jeff Zgonina is a former American football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He was born on December 24, 1970, in Portland, Oregon, and attended the University of Purdue, where he played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.
Zgonina began his professional career in 1993 when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he was released before the start of the regular season and was picked up by the Carolina Panthers, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Atlanta Falcons for one season before joining the St. Louis Rams in 1997.
Zgonina played for the Rams for four seasons and was a part of the team that won Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000. He then played for the Miami Dolphins for three seasons before joining the Houston Texans in 2006. He played for the Texans for two seasons before joining the San Francisco 49ers in 2008. He played his final season in the NFL with the Washington Redskins in 2009.
Throughout his career, Zgonina was known for his toughness and durability. He played in 219 regular-season games and recorded 448 tackles, 26 sacks, and two interceptions. He was also a valuable contributor on special teams, where he blocked three kicks.
After retiring from the NFL, Zgonina became a coach. He started as a defensive line coach for the Houston Texans in 2010 and held the position for two seasons. He then became the defensive line coach for the New York Giants in 2012 and held the position for one season. He was then hired as the assistant defensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers in 2013 and held the position for three seasons. He was promoted to defensive line coach in 2016 and held the position for two seasons before being let go in 2018.
Zgonina's football career was marked by his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He was able to play for 17 seasons in the NFL, which is a testament to his talent and his ability to stay healthy and productive. He was also able to transition into coaching after his playing career was over, which is a testament to his knowledge of the game and his ability to teach and motivate players. Overall, Jeff Zgonina is a respected figure in the world of football and a role model for aspiring players and coaches.
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