Goose Gonsoulin

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Goose Gonsoulin
No. 23, 35
PositionSafety
Personal information
Born(1938-06-07)June 7, 1938
Port Arthur, Texas, U.S.
DiedSeptember 8, 2014(2014-09-08) (aged 76)
Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High schoolThomas Jefferson
(Port Arthur, Texas)
CollegeBaylor
NFL draft1960: 17th round, 203rd overall pick
AFL draft1960
Career history
Awards and highlights
AFL record
  • Most passes intercepted in a single game: 4 (tied)
Career NFL/AFL statistics
Interceptions46
Touchdowns2
Sacks1.0
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Austin William "Goose" Gonsoulin (June 7, 1938 – September 8, 2014) was an American professional football player who was a safety in the American Football League (AFL) for the Denver Broncos and in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers. He had the first interception in AFL history, and was named to five of the AFL's first six All-Star Teams.

Early life

[edit]

Gonsoulin was born on June 7, 1938, in Port Arthur, Texas.[1] He was contemporaneously referenced as having played football at Port Arthur High School, where he was a star running back and punt returner.[2][3][4] He was also a star on the track team.[5] In 1955, the 195 lb. (88.5 kg) Gonsoulin was chosen first-team All-District at halfback.[6] He was also named second-team Texas AAAA All-State in football as a senior.[7][5]

Gonsoulin is also reported as having attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur.[1][5] At the time he attended high school, there was school segregation in Port Arthur; with white students attending Thomas Jefferson High School and black students attending Abraham Lincoln High School.[8] Hall of Fame football coach Jimmy Johnson[9] and rock and roll singer Janis Joplin attended Jefferson a few years after Gonsoulin graduated.[10]

College career

[edit]

Gonsoulin played college football for the Baylor Bears where he was a receiver, halfback and a defensive back. He captained the freshman team as a two-way player.[11] As a sophomore, on offense, Gonsoulin rushed 16 times for 50 yards, and had six receptions for 117 yards (19.5 yards per catch).[12] On offense in his junior year (1958), he was used as a receiver.[13][12] In a late November 1958 game against the Rice Owls, Gonsoulin caught a 71-yard touchdown pass, a three-yard touchdown pass and intercepted a pass.[14] He had 16 receptions for 280 yards as a junior.[15] Gonsoulin played safety on defense, and was known for his coverage and tackling abilities.[16]

In 1959, as a senior, his teammates selected the laconic and even-keeled Gonsoulin as their team captain.[17] He was both a rusher and receiver in his final season at Baylor. He had 72 rushing yards in 27 carries, and 18 receptions for 235 yards and two touchdowns.[18][19][12] He was in the Southwest Conference's top five in receiving yards in both 1958 and 1959.[20][21] Among his Baylor teammates that year was future NFL running back Ronnie Bull, who was the team's leading rusher in 1959.[18][22]

A Baylor coach, Hayden Fry, gave Gonsoulin the nickname “Goose” during his senior season, and the name stuck for the rest of his life.[23]

In December 1959, he played in the second annual Copper Bowl college all-star game. Gonsoulin had an interception and fumble recovery on defense in the game, and was named the Southwest all-stars outstanding back for the game.[24]

Professional career

[edit]

The New York Giants prematurely drafted Gonsoulin in the 17th round of the 1959 NFL draft, while he was still a junior in college, and he remained in school. He was selected in the 17th round of the 1960 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers and drafted by the Dallas Texans in the 1960 American Football League (AFL) draft, and would play in the AFL. Shortly before the league’s inaugural season he was traded to the Denver Broncos for fullback Jake Spikes.[25][26][27][28] He played on the Broncos from 1960 to 1966, for a team that never had a winning season; though Gonsoulin himself was selected to play in the five of the first six AFL All-Star Games.[1][29]

Gonsoulin's first season with the Denver Broncos was also the first year of the American Football League's (AFL) existence.[30][31] He started 14 games at free safety.[32] During the AFL's inaugural week, Gonsoulin intercepted two passes against the Boston Patriots.[33] His first interception was also the first interception in AFL history.[34] In the second game of the 1960 season against the Buffalo Bills, on September 18, 1960, Gonsoulin intercepted four passes, still tied for the AFL/NFL record of most interceptions in a game.[35][36] He was selected as defensive player of the week.[37]

The following week against the New York Titans (later the New York Jets), he intercepted his seventh pass of the 1960 season.[38] Overall in 1960, Gonsoulin had 11 interceptions, which remains a Broncos' team record.[39][40] He led the AFL in interceptions.[41] He was named first-team All-AFL by the AFL and the Associated Press (AP), and second-team All-AFL by United Press International (UPI).[42]

In 1961, Gonsoulin again started all 14 games for the Broncos at free safety. He had six interceptions (tied for 8th best in the AFL), and was selected to play in the AFL's first All-Star Game on January 7, 1962.[43][1][44][45] In 1962, Gonsoulin started 13 of the 14 games in which he played, with seven interceptions (tied for 7th best in the AFL).[46][47] In a Friday night game on October 5, 1962, Gonsoulin returned an interception 64 yards for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders.[48] He was selected to play in the 1962 All-Star Game, and was again named first-team All-AFL by the AFL and AP, and second-team All-AFL by UPI.[1][49]

He started 14 games in 1963, with six interceptions (tied for 6th best in the AFL). In an early October game against the San Diego Chargers he returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown.[50][51][52] He was again selected an All-Star,[1] and was named first team All-AFL by the AFL, and second-team All-AFL by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA).[53] In 1964, he started 11 of 14 games in which he played, with seven interceptions (tied for 6th best in the AFL), and was once again named an All-Star.[54][55] In an October 11, 1964 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had three interceptions against future Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson.[39][56][57] The UPI named him second-team All-AFL.[58]

He started 10 of the 14 games in which he played in 1965, with six interceptions. He was not selected as an AFL All-Star for the only time in his AFL career, during which the game existed.[1][39] In 1966, he missed time with a knee injury, starting and playing in only ten games, with no interceptions. However, the fans still selected him to play in the AFL All-Star Game for his good play in other aspects of defense.[59][28]

He learned the Broncos cut him before the 1967 season began, via an anonymous telephone call. The reality was confirmed for him when he was listening to the radio in his car after getting the disturbing telephone call.[23] Gonsoulin had been released as part of new head coach Lou Saban's decision to use younger players on the Broncos.[60][61] Gonsoulin thought his treatment unfair, as he was waived before having a chance to even speak with Saban. When interviewed about it, he concluded, "'But that's football'".[62]

Gonsoulin was signed by the National Football League's San Francisco 49ers, who still held his rights from the 1960 draft. He suffered a neck injury during the 1967 season that cause him to miss some games; but still started eight games and had three interceptions. However, despite playing after the neck injury during the 1967 season, the 49ers informed Gonsoulin before the 1968 season that the injury would prevent the team from allowing him to play again, and he did not pass the team physical. Gonsoulin then chose to retire.[23][63][64][65]

Gonsoulin was a Sporting News AFL All-League player in 1960, 1962, and 1963.[citation needed] His amazing durability and toughness enabled him to start 61 consecutive games at one point in his career.[citation needed]

Legacy and honors

[edit]

Gonsoulin was one of the four inaugural members inducted into the Bronco's Ring of Fame in 1984.[39][28] He also was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.[16] Gonsoulin was selected to the second unit of the American Football League All-Time Team.[66] He has been named to numerous all-time Bronco teams, including the 20th Anniversary Team (1980), the 50th Anniversary Team (2009) and in 2019 as part of the NFL's 100th anniversary commemorations. As in college, with the Broncos he was "'Popular, quiet-spoken . . . respected by teammates and . . . worked hard to preserve team morale'".[28]

In Denver, he was considered an "original Bronco", and led the team four times in interceptions.[39] When he left the AFL in 1966, after seven years in the league, he held the record for most interceptions in AFL history (43).[16] This AFL record was surpassed in 1968 by Houston Oilers' safety Jim Norton during his ninth AFL season.[67] He was tied for 6th all-time in interceptions (46) when he played his last game in 1967.[68] He held the Broncos' interception record until 1987 when it was surpassed by Steve Foley.[23] In addition to being a top pass defender, he was also known as a hard-hitting tackler. He suffered numerous concussions when tackling others, but in his playing years, his experience was he would be asked a few questions such as what was your name and where were you born, and then given smelling salts and returned to play.[39]

The hardest collision in which he was involved came against the Houston Oilers and Billy Cannon in 1962. Gonsoulin's helmet hit the hard running Cannon's knee when he was attempting a tackle. Gonsoulin was knocked unconscious and swallowed his tongue. The team's trainers could not open his jaws and were about to break his teeth when teammate Bud McFadin was able to pry open Gonsoulin's mouth. It has also been reported that trainer Fred Posey was the one able to pull Gonsoulin's tongue free. When Gonsoulin regained consciousness on his way to the hospital, he was unaware of what had happened. Gonsoulin was back at practice two days later. Over his career Gonsoulin had numerous injuries, some long-term.[39][28]

Personal life

[edit]

After retiring from football, he operated a construction company.[39]

Death

[edit]

Gonsoulin died on September 8, 2014. He had been in hospice care in Beaumont, Texas, suffering from prostate cancer.[69][39]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Goose Gonsoulin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  2. ^ Agness, Jack (October 2, 1954). "Port Arthur Runs Over Regan, 45–6". The Houston Post. pp. Sec. 2, p. 4.
  3. ^ "Port Arthur Beast Galena". The Houston Chronicle. November 5, 1955. p. 9.
  4. ^ "Broncs, Port Arthur In 7–7 Deadlock". The Odessa American (Odessa, Texas). September 11, 1955. p. 7.
  5. ^ a b c "Gonsoulin Goose" (PDF). profootballresearchers.org. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  6. ^ Odem, Boo (November 27, 1955). "Molina Unanimous Choice Of Coaches". The Houston Chronicle. pp. Sec. 8, p. 6.
  7. ^ Holden, Jack (January 6, 1956). "Caudle, Gregory, Green Make 1st Team All-State". Abilene Reporter-News. p. 6.
  8. ^ Mitchell, Carol T. Taylor. "The Role of Race and Culture in the Science Classroom" (Chapter 14). In: Conyers, James L. (editor). Black Cultures and Race Relations. Rowman & Littlefield, 2002. ISBN 0830415742, 9780830415748. Start: p. 223. CITED: p. 223-224.
  9. ^ "Coach Jimmy Johnson | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  10. ^ "Deep Into His Job, Jimmy Johnson Dived Headfirst Into Coaching the Cowboys, And He Won't Come Up For Air Until He Wins A Super Bowl". Sports Illustrated. September 7, 1992.
  11. ^ "Explosive Austin Gonsoulin May Be Baylor's New 'Shofner'". The Houston Post. September 19, 1957. pp. Sec. 4, p. 3.
  12. ^ a b c "Austin Gonsoulin College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  13. ^ "Spring Drills at Baylor Opens Building Program". The Monitor (McAllen, Texas). March 31, 1959. p. 10.
  14. ^ Sawyer, Whitney (November 30, 1958). "Rice Owls Rip Baylor With Wild 33–21 Win". The Selma Times-Journal (Selma, Alabama). p. 9.
  15. ^ "1958 Baylor Bears Roster". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  16. ^ a b c "Austin 'Goose' Gonsoulin". Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  17. ^ Ward, Al (September 11, 1959). "Sports Stops". The Waco Times-Herald. p. 12.
  18. ^ a b "1959 Baylor Bears Roster". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  19. ^ Shults, Dan (September 12, 1959). "Baylor Matches Its Color--Green". The Houston Chronicle. p. 8.
  20. ^ "1958 Southwest Conference Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  21. ^ "1959 Southwest Conference Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  22. ^ "Ronnie Bull Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d Michael, Jackson (September 11, 2014). "An Appreciation: Austin Gonsoulin | The Game Before the Money". Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  24. ^ "Nationals Win 21–6 In Copper Bowl Tilt". Atlantic City Press. Associated Press. December 27, 1959. pp. 25, 29.
  25. ^ "1959 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  26. ^ "1960 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  27. ^ "1960 AFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  28. ^ a b c d e Swanson, Ben (June 24, 2021). "Broncos Legends: The story of Austin 'Goose' Gonsoulin's pioneering Broncos career". www.denverbroncos.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  29. ^ "Denver Broncos Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  30. ^ "1960 AFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  31. ^ "General History - Chronology (1960 to 1979) | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
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  33. ^ "Denver Broncos at Boston Patriots - September 9th, 1960". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  34. ^ "The Goose Is Recovering". The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, Colorado). Associated Press. December 22, 2012. pp. 3B.
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  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i Associated Press (September 9, 2014). "Broncos great 'Goose' Gonsoulin, 76, dies". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
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  45. ^ "1961 AFL Defense". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
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  47. ^ "1962 AFL Defense". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  48. ^ "Gene Mingo Runs Wild for Denver". The Spokesman Review (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. October 6, 1962. p. 10.
  49. ^ "1962 AFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
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  51. ^ "Chiefs Triumph; Denver Surges". The Pensacola Journal (Pensacola, Florida). Associated Press. October 7, 1963. pp. 4B.
  52. ^ "1963 AFL Defense". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  53. ^ "1963 AFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  54. ^ "1964 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  55. ^ "1964 AFL Defense". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  56. ^ "October 11, 1964 - Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos Box Score and Game Statistics". www.profootballarchives.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  57. ^ "Len Dawson | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  58. ^ "1964 AFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  59. ^ "1966 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  60. ^ Heeren, Dave (August 28, 1987). "A Cooked Goose: Just Another Dolphin Ache". Fort Lauderdale News. pp. 5B.
  61. ^ "Lou Saban Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  62. ^ Kelley, Loudon (August 16, 1967). "Saban Revamps Denver Broncos For New Look". The Alliance Daily Times-Herald (Alliance, Nebraska). p. 7.
  63. ^ "1967 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  64. ^ "Scout Report, Balanced Attack". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 15, 1967. p. 86.
  65. ^ "Gonsoulin Says He Is Through With Football". The Orange Leader (Orange, Texas). Associated Press. August 6, 1968. p. 7.
  66. ^ "AFL Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams - 1960s". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  67. ^ "Jim Norton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  68. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1967". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  69. ^ "Goose Gonsoulin passes away". Denver Broncos. September 8, 2014. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.