From NFL quarterback to drag racing driver: the multifaceted career of Dan Pastorini
In short: Before he was a Top Fuel dragster driver, Dan Pastorini was a gritty NFL quarterback known for playing through broken ribs. His career spanned professional football and high-speed racing, marked by a Super Bowl title and a transition from the gridiron to the NHRA drag racing circuit.
Dan Pastorini's football career was defined by a remarkable toughness. Between 1971 and 1979, he missed only five regular season games, frequently playing despite injuries such as broken ribs or a punctured lung. He actually pioneered the use of the 'flak jacket'—a protective layer worn under the uniform—specifically to mitigate the impact of rib injuries.
Drafted third overall in the 1971 NFL draft out of Santa Clara University, Pastorini entered a class famously dubbed "The Year of the Quarterback," which included Jim Plunkett and Archie Manning. While he spent much of his tenure with the Houston Oilers, his career saw significant shifts. In 1978, he achieved a career-high with 2,473 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1975.
His career also included a stint with the Oakland Raiders, where he was part of the team that won Super Bowl XV in January 1981. Following his 13 seasons in the NFL, Pastorini pivoted to motorsports. He became a competitive Top Fuel dragster driver in the NHRA, notably becoming the third person to break the 270-mph barrier. He captured a single title during the 1986 NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta, ending that season ranked seventh in NHRA Championship Points.
Beyond the stadium and the track, Pastorini's life included diverse pursuits, from acting in films like 'Killer Fish' to racing hydroplanes. His resilience on the field and his speed on the track remain the hallmarks of a career that refused to stay within a single lane.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Dan Pastorini
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