A Tight End For the Ages

There was a time in the NFL where the players looked to spend their entire playing career with one team. Pete Metzelaars hoped would happen in Seattle, however after three seasons with the Seahawks, the tight end was traded to Buffalo in 1985. The team looked to be bad again, and did finishing 2-14. Then things picked up for Metzelaars and the Bills. A new era was on the horizon that will never be matched again.

In 1986, the arrival of quarterback Jim Kelly from the USFL, Metzelaars became a very important weapon in the Bills offensive scheme. At six foot seven, he was an easy target for Kelly to go to in times of trouble. What a nice safety valve! Pete caught 49 passes from Kelly in 1986. Most of them over the middle when Kelly's wideouts weren't open, something that tended to happen. Fans were grateful that Metzelaars was there, but had to overlook his lack of speed and big play ability. Then in the second half of 1987, the coach would come into the fold. Marv Levy became the head coach that year.

The Bills would be flying in 1988, Marv Levy’s second season at the helm. In only three years from the back-to-back two-win seasons, Buffalo went 12-4 and made it to the AFC Championship Game. What a turn around! Ok, so they lost that afternoon in Cincinnati, but his early apprehension was a distant memory.

The 6’7" tight end had an amazing 1993 season, which was his 12th year in the league. He led the Bills with 68 catches for 609 yards and four touchdowns, a great year for a grizzled veteran. Pete is the fourth all-time leading receiver [302 catches] in the team’s history. Just like many of the players from the Super Bowl era, Metzelaars, was not re-signed after the 1994 season.

Pete ended his career with one season in Carolina, after playing two seasons with the Detroit Lions. The Metzelaars live in suburban Charlotte, NC, and have two sons; Anthony, 19, a redshirt freshman quarterback at Gardner-Webb University; and Jonathon, 15, who is a high school freshman. Currently, he is looking for opportunities to coach in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills should pay attention. Until he gets that coaching job Metzelaars is part of the Carolina Panthers pre-game and post-game radio shows on WBT in Charlotte.