Pete Metzelaars is a former American football player who played as a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. He was born on December 30, 1960, in Pemberville, Ohio, and attended Wauseon High School in Wauseon, Ohio.
Metzelaars played college football at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he was a standout player. He was named a Division III All-American in 1981 and set several school records, including most receptions in a season and most career receiving yards.
After college, Metzelaars was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He played for the Seahawks for four seasons, primarily as a backup tight end and special teams player. In 1986, he signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent and became a starter for the team.
Metzelaars played for the Bills for eight seasons and was a key part of the team's success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was known for his blocking ability and was a reliable target for quarterback Jim Kelly in the passing game. He was also a valuable contributor on special teams.
In 1994, Metzelaars signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent. He played for the Panthers for two seasons before finishing his career with the Detroit Lions in 1997.
Over the course of his career, Metzelaars played in 235 games and caught 383 passes for 3,686 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1987 and was a two-time All-Pro selection. He also won four AFC championships with the Bills and played in four Super Bowls, although he never won a championship.
After retiring from playing, Metzelaars began a career in coaching. He served as an assistant coach for several NFL teams, including the Bills, Colts, and Chargers. He also spent time coaching in the United Football League and the Canadian Football League.
In 2014, Metzelaars was inducted into the Wabash College Athletic Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame, which honors the team's all-time greats.
Overall, Pete Metzelaars had a successful career as a tight end in the NFL. He was a reliable player who contributed to his teams in a variety of ways and was respected by his peers and coaches.
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