National Football Foundation

Gio Carmazzi possesses all the attributes of an outstanding athlete, student and leader in his community. Carmazzi registered an impressive 4.35 GPA while taking college prep, honors and AP courses. He was class valedictorian, and he was the commencement speaker at his graduation. His outstanding accomplishments earned him the Jesuit High School (Calif.) Scholar-Athlete Award, Sac-Joaquin Section Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the A. Dale Lacky Scholar-Athlete Award, and he was also presented the Bank of America Latin Scholar Award. As the quarterback on the football team, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Carmazzi was team captain, and he earned team and league MVP honors. Carmazzi was able to find time to give back to his community as well, serving on the Environmental Impact Club and as a volunteer for Christmas in April and Kops and Kids Sports Camp.

Carmazzi starred at Hofstra University from 1997-99, completing 764 of 1,187 passes for 9,920 yards and 71 touchdowns, all school records. He led the Pride to a 27-6 record during three seasons. Carmazzi was named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete in 1999, becoming just the fourth scholar-athlete honored at the high school and college levels by the NFF. He was a three-time Football Gazette All-American, two-time Sports Network All-American, two-time AP All-American and a Walter Camp All-American, earning first team honors from each in 1999. Carmazzi was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award and The Football Gazette Offensive Player of the Year in 1999. He was also a three-time First Team All-I-AA Independents selection, and he was twice named Offensive MVP. Carmazzi was a two-time All-ECAC selection, earning Player of the Year honors in 1999.

Carmazzi was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (65^th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft. Carmazzi spent time with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe in 2001, and he briefly appeared on the rosters of the BC Lions and Calgary Stampeders of the CFL in 2004 and 2005, respectively. He now resides outside of San Francisco on a farm.