By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Former NFL wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez has won his re-election bid. He will serve as the Ohio’s 16th Congressional District’s House Representative.
Gonzalez — who is the projected winner, according to 10TV- WBNS — defeated Democratic challenger Aaron Paul Godfrey. This area, where Gonzalez won, has traditionally leaned Republican.
Former pro athlete Anthony Gonzalez has won re-election to represent Ohio’s 16th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives
Anthony Gonzalez has won re-election to represent Ohio’s 16th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives (Photo by Anthony Gonzalez/Instagram)
The former Indianapolis Colts player won the seat in 2018, when he defeated Jim Renacci. He was sworn in on January 3, 2019.
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Gonzalez reportedly won with 179,565 ballots. Godfrey trailed with 115,339.
The 36-year-old Cleveland, Ohio native played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He then was the Colts first-round (32nd overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft.
He played for the team for five seasons from 2007 through 2011.
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As an NFL player, Gonzalez appeared in 40 games, including 12 starts. His last start in the league came in 2009.
In his final 10 games, he did not make a single start.
Gonzalez had 99 receptions for 1,307 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
All seven touchdowns came during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He had three touchdown receptions in 2007, before having the final four touchdowns in 2008.
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In his final three seasons in the league, he barely played, as he played in 10 games, including one start, the aforementioned start in 2009 during his lone appearance of the season.
He had just five receptions for 67 yards in those 10 games. Three of those receptions were for first downs for 34 yards.