Dante Anthony Pastorini is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the Houston Oilers. He played college football for the Santa Clara Broncos and was selected third overall by the Oilers in the 1971 NFL Draft. A Pro Bowl selection during his Oilers tenure, he was also part of the Oakland Raiders team that won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XV alongside fellow 1971 pick Jim Plunkett. Pastorini spent his final three seasons in sparse appearances for the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. After retiring from the NFL, Pastorini pursued a career as Top Fuel dragster driver in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
Signing autographs at a 1987 NHRA event
Connie Kalitta vs Pastorini Texas Motorplex, April 1987
The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team that played in Houston from its founding in 1960 to 1996. The Oilers began play as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) and won two AFL championships before joining the NFL in the AFL–NFL merger of the late 1960s.
Pro Football Hall of Famer running back Earl Campbell was the centerpiece of the Oilers' offense in the late 1970s and early 1980s, earning several NFL awards, AFC rushing titles and five Pro Bowls.
AFC Pro Bowlers Warren Moon (left) and Mike Rozier (right) made major contributions to the Oilers' offense in the late 1980s while leading the team to several playoff appearances.
The now-abandoned Astrodome, which was the home of the Houston Astros, had football turf still intact after the Oilers' departure.