{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}} {{Use American English|date=March 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Dante Pettis | image = Dante Pettis 2019 (cropped).jpg | alt = | caption = Pettis in 2019 | current_team = | number = | position = Wide receiver | birth_date = {{birth date and age |1995|10|23}} | birth_place = San Clemente, California, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lb = 200 | high_school = JSerra Catholic{{avoid wrap|(San Juan Capistrano, California)}} | college = Washington (2014–2017) | draftyear = 2018 | draftround = 2 | draftpick = 44 | pastteams = * San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2020}}) * New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2021}}) * Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2022}}) * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2024|2025}}) | status = | highlights = * Jet Award (2017) * Consensus All-American (2017) * NCAA punt return yards leader (2017) * NCAA average punt return yards leader (2017) * First-team All-Pac-12 (2017) ;NCAA (FBS) record * Career punt return touchdowns: 9<ref>{{Cite web |title=Punt Return Touchdowns Career Leaders and Records |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/leaders/punt-ret-td-player-career.html |access-date=November 28, 2025 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}</ref> | statweek = | statseason = 2025 | statlabel1 = Receptions | statvalue1 = 92 | statlabel2 = Receiving yards | statvalue2 = 1,231 | statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns | statvalue3 = 13 | pfr = P/PettDa00 }}
'''Dante Garrison Pettis'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dante Pettis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PettDa00.htm |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> (born October 23, 1995) is an American professional football wide receiver. He played college football for the Washington Huskies.
==Early life== Pettis attended JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, California.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cavanagh |first=Zach |date=April 27, 2018 |title=JSerra Alum Dante Pettis Pegged as Mid-Round Pick |language=en-US |work=The Capistrano Dispatch |url=http://www.thecapistranodispatch.com/jserra-alum-dante-pettis-pegged-mid-round-pick/ |access-date=October 2, 2018 |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422041459/https://www.thecapistranodispatch.com/jserra-alum-dante-pettis-pegged-mid-round-pick/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He played football, basketball and ran track. As a senior, he recorded 50 receptions for 889 yards and 11 touchdowns. He committed to the University of Washington to play college football.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jude |first=Adam |date=January 23, 2014 |title=California receiver Dante Pettis commits to Huskies |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/california-receiver-dante-pettis-commits-to-huskies/ |access-date=October 3, 2018 |work=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
==College career== As a true freshman for Washington in 2014, Pettis had 17 receptions for 259 yards and a touchdown. He also added 288 punt return yards and a punt return touchdown.
As a sophomore, he recorded 30 receptions for 414 yards and a touchdown reception with 271 punt return yards and two punt return touchdowns.
As a junior, he finished with 53 receptions, 822 yards, 15 touchdown receptions, 287 punt return yards and two touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Milles |first=Todd |date=August 9, 2017 |title=Grab popcorn, sit back and enjoy the Dante Pettis show |url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/college/pac-12/university-of-washington/article166254432.html |access-date=October 3, 2018 |work=The News Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonagura |first=Kyle |title=Don't forget about Dante Pettis, Washington's other dynamic receiver |url=http://www.espn.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/107317/dont-forget-about-dante-pettis-washingtons-other-dynamic-receiver |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=ESPN.com|date=December 20, 2016 }}</ref>
As a senior in 2017 against the Oregon Ducks, he broke the record for most career punt return touchdowns in NCAA history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2017 |title=Washington's Pettis ties punt-return record |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/20728393/dante-pettis-washington-huskies-ties-ncaa-punt-return-record |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref><ref name="e282">{{cite web | title=Return rewind: A look back at Dante Pettis’ record-breaking career at Washington | website=The Seattle Times | date=2017-09-15 | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/return-rewind-a-look-back-at-dante-pettis-record-breaking-career-at-washington/ | access-date=2025-02-03}}</ref> Pettis garnered consensus All-America honors as a result of being named a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp Football Foundation, and ''The Sporting News''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jude |first=Adam |date=December 12, 2017 |title=Huskies' Dante Pettis joins elite company as a consensus All-American |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/huskies-dante-pettis-joins-elite-company-as-a-consensus-all-american/ |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> He finished the season with 63 receptions, 761 yards, and seven touchdown receptions, as well as an NCAA-leading 428 punt return yards and four touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dante Pettis 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/dante-pettis-1/gamelog/2017 |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2017 College Football Leaders|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2017-leaders.html|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 28, 2025|language=en}}</ref>
==Professional career== thumb|right|200px|Pettis playing for the 49ers in 2019. {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 0 1/2 | weight = 186 | wonderlic = 32 | arm span = 32 1/4 | hand span = 9 1/2 | wingspan ft = 6 | wingspan in = 5 1/4 | note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2018 |title=Dante Pettis Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/dante-pettis/32005045-5473-5981-8eda-5f27db81c106 |access-date=March 1, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington WR Dante Pettis : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=131328&DraftYear=2018 |access-date=May 12, 2018 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref> }}
===San Francisco 49ers=== The San Francisco 49ers selected Pettis in the second round (44th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fann, Joe |date=April 27, 2018 |title=San Francisco 49ers Draft Washington WR Dante Pettis |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/san-francisco-49ers-draft-washington-wr-dante-pettis |access-date=July 4, 2018 |website=49ers.com}}</ref> He was the fourth wide receiver to be selected that year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/draft.htm |access-date=October 2, 2018 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings, Pettis made his NFL debut and caught two passes for 61 receiving yards and a touchdown. In addition, he returned two punts for 14 yards in the 24–16 loss.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Dave |date=September 9, 2018 |title=Cousins, Vikings hold on for 24-16 victory vs. 49ers |url=https://apnews.com/43362fec557e4eb1a31010bfbe91c713 |access-date=October 2, 2018 |work=AP News |language=en-US}}</ref> On December 29, 2018, Pettis was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fann, Joe |date=December 29, 2018 |title=49ers Promote WR Max McCaffrey, DL Ryan Delaire to Active Roster |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-promote-wr-max-mccaffrey-dl-ryan-delaire-to-active-roster |website=49ers.com}}</ref> Pettis finished his rookie season with 27 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns.<ref name="e620">{{cite web | last=Larrabee | first=Kirk | title=San Francisco 49ers WR Dante Pettis wants to play bigger in 2019 | website=247Sports | date=2019-06-04 | url=https://247sports.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/Article/49ers-Dante-Pettis-weight-gain-132596428/ | access-date=2025-01-01}}</ref>
In Pettis' second season, he caught 11 receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dante Pettis 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PettDa00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
On November 3, 2020, Pettis was waived by the 49ers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2020 |title=49ers Waive WR Dante Pettis and DL Jullian Taylor |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-waive-wr-dante-pettis-and-dl-jullian-taylor |access-date=November 3, 2020 |website=49ers.com}}</ref>
===New York Giants=== On November 4, 2020, Pettis was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2020 |title=Giants claim WR Dante Pettis off waivers from 49ers |url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-claim-wr-dante-pettis-off-waivers-from-49ers |access-date=November 4, 2020 |website=Giants.com}}</ref> He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 20,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moraitis, Mike |date=November 20, 2020 |title=Giants to place Matt Peart, Dante Pettis, Kaden Smith on COVID-19 list |work=USAToday.com |url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/20/giants-to-place-matt-peart-dante-pettis-kaden-smith-on-covid-19-list/ |access-date=December 26, 2020}}</ref> and activated on December 1.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eisen, Michael |date=December 1, 2020 |title=Transactions: 3 Giants activated off COVID-19 list; Kyler Fackrell to IR |work=Giants.com |url=https://www.giants.com/news/kyler-fackrell-kaden-smith-matt-peart-dante-pettis-covid-19-list |access-date=December 26, 2020}}</ref> In his first game played as a Giant, on December 27, against the Baltimore Ravens, Pettis finished with two receptions for 33 yards. He caught his first touchdown as a Giant the next week, against the Dallas Cowboys, for 33 yards. Pettis finished his 2020 campaign with four receptions, for 76 yards, averaging 19 yards a reception, and one touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dante Pettis 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PettDa00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
On September 1, 2021, Pettis was waived by the Giants and re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen, Michael |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Giants establish practice squad amid roster moves |url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-establish-practice-squad-amid-roster-moves-casey-kreiter-david-sills |website=Giants.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen, Michael |date=September 2, 2021 |title=Giants sign veteran OL Matt Skura, TE Chris Myarick to practice squad |url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-sign-veteran-matt-skura-practice-squad-baltimore-ravens-chris-myarick |website=Giants.com}}</ref> On October 19, Pettis was signed to active roster.<ref>{{cite web|title=Andrew Thomas, CJ Board placed on injured reserve|url=https://www.giants.com/news/andrew-thomas-cj-board-injured-reserve-benardrick-mckinney-practice-squad-roster|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=October 19, 2021}}</ref> In Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, Pettis had five catches for 39 yards and a touchdown while adding the 16-yard pass to Daniel Jones.<ref>{{cite web|title=Giants Now: Grades are in for Week 7 win|url=https://www.giants.com/news/daniel-jones-azeez-ojulari-darius-slayton-dante-pettis-leonard-williams-pff|author=Citak, Matt|website=Giants.com|date=October 28, 2021}}</ref> On November 5. 2021, Pettis was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Giants place Dante Pettis on IR, sign Dexter Williams to practice squad|url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/05/new-york-giants-place-dante-pettis-injured-reserve-sign-dexter-williams-practice-squad/|author=Benton, Dan|website=GiantsWire.com|date=November 5, 2021}}</ref>
===Chicago Bears=== On May 11, 2022, the Chicago Bears signed Pettis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears sign WRs Pettis, Sharpe |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-sign-receivers-dante-pettis-tajae-sharpe |author=Mayer, Larry|website=Chicagobears.com|date=May 11, 2022}}</ref> On October 14, Pettis caught four passes for 84 yards and the Bears’ only touchdown, during a 12–7 loss to the Washington Commanders.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seligman |first=Andrew |date=2022-10-14 |title=Muffed punt, Robinson TD lift Commanders over Bears 12-7 |url=https://apnews.com/article/chicago-bears-washington-commanders-nfl-sports-jacksonville-915b53b3bca4f5599c0c9385636b8567 |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
Pettis re-signed with the Bears on April 17, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roster Move: Bears re-sign receiver Dante Pettis|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-move-bears-re-sign-receiver-dante-pettis|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=April 17, 2023}}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on August 26.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears put Pettis on IR, waive/injured Reed|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-put-pettis-on-ir-waive-injured-reed|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 26, 2023}}</ref> He was released on September 6, with an injury settlement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Ryan |date=2023-09-06 |title=Bears release two wide receivers with injury settlements: reports |url=https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nfl/chicago-bears/bears-news/bears-release-wide-receivers-dante-pettis-isaiah-ford/505222/ |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=NBC Sports Chicago |language=en-US}}</ref>
On March 15, 2024, Pettis re-signed with the Bears.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=March 15, 2024 |title=Roster Move: Bears sign WR/KR Dante Pettis |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-move-bears-sign-wr-kr-dante-pettis |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on August 27, and released a week later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Roster Moves: Bears reach 53-man roster limit |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-reach-53-man-roster-limit-2024 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref>
===New Orleans Saints=== On October 15, 2024, Pettis signed with the New Orleans Saints practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2024 |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/dante-pettis-new-orleans-saints-roster-moves-announced-transactions-october-15-2024 |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=New Orleans Saints}}</ref> On December 7, he was promoted to the active roster.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves and injury updates |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-roster-moves-injury-updates-announced-giants-saints-nfl-week-14 |website=neworleanssaints.com |access-date=8 December 2024}}</ref> In eight games for New Orleans, Pettis operated as the team's return man, and compiled 12 receptions for 120 yards and one touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dante Pettis 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PettDa00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2026-04-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
On March 11, 2025, Pettis re-signed with New Orleans on a one-year contract.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Saints, Dante Pettis agree to one-year contract|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/saints-dante-pettis-agree-to-one-year-contract|access-date=March 17, 2025|website=nbcsports.com|language=en}}</ref> He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-53-man-roster-cuts-moves-asim-richards-transactions-august-26-2025-nfl-season |website=neworleanssaints.com |access-date=27 August 2025}}</ref> On October 2, Pettis was re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Orleans Saints sign WR Dante Pettis to practice squad |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/dante-pettis-wide-receiver-new-orleans-saints-roster-moves-transactions-october-2-2025 |website=neworleanssaints.com |access-date=3 October 2025}}</ref> On December 3, Pettis was signed to the active roster.<ref>{{cite web | title=Saints announce roster moves | website=NewOrleansSaints.com | date=2025-12-03 | url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/dante-pettis-william-sherman-saints-roster-moves-transactions-2025-nfl-season-12-3-2025 | access-date=2026-03-05}}</ref> In the 2025 season, he had nine receptions for 127 yards in eight games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dante Pettis 2025 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PettDa00/gamelog/2025/ |access-date=2026-04-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
==NFL career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Returning ! colspan="2"| Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Ret !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Fum !! Lost |- ! 2018 !! SF | 12 || 7 || 27 || 467 || 17.3 || 75T || 5 || 1 || -2 || -2.0 || -2 || 0 || 9 || 27 || 3.0 || 14 || 0 || 2 || 0 |- ! 2019 !! SF | 11 || 4 || 11 || 109 || 9.9 || 21T || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! rowspan="2"|2020 !! SF || 5|| 1|| 0|| 0|| 0|| 0|| 0|| 0 || 0|| 0 || 0|| 0 || 0 || 0|| 0|| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! NYG || 2|| 2|| 4|| 76|| 19.0|| 33T|| 1|| 0|| 0 || 0|| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0|| 0|| 0 || 0 || 1|| 1 |- ! 2021 !! NYG || 3|| 0|| 10|| 87|| 8.7|| 27|| 1|| 0|| 0 || 0|| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0|| 0|| 0 || 0 || 1|| 0 |- ! 2022 !! CHI || 17|| 7|| 19|| 245|| 12.9|| 51|| 3|| 2|| 37 || 18.5|| 29 || 0 || 0 || 0|| 0|| 0 || 0 || 1|| 0 |- !2024 !NO |8 |0 |12 |120 |10.0 |20 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- !2025 !NO |8 |0 |9 |127 |14.1 |32 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |1 |- ! colspan="2" | Career || 66|| 21|| 92|| 1,231|| 14.1 || 75T || 13 || 3 || 35 || 11.7 || 29 || 0 || 9 || 27 || 3.0 || 14 || 0 || 6 || 2 |}
==Personal life== His father, Gary Pettis, played in Major League Baseball (MLB) and is a coach for the Houston Astros.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |title=Astros coach Gary Pettis' son a UW receiver |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-coach-gary-pettis-son-a-uw-receiver-c201866350 |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=MLB.com |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063647/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/201866350/astros-coach-gary-pettis-son-a-uw-receiver/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Like father, like son: Sports big part of Pettis family |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/102326046/astros-third-base-coach-gary-pettis-passion-for-baseball-hasnt-waned/ |website=MLB.com |access-date=September 17, 2017 |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918021317/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/102326046/astros-third-base-coach-gary-pettis-passion-for-baseball-hasnt-waned/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> His brother, Kyler Pettis, is an actor and his cousin, Austin Pettis, played in the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Michael |title=Husky hero Dante Pettis comes from a famous family |url=http://www.king5.com/entertainment/television/programs/evening/husky-hero-dante-pettis-comes-from-a-famous-family/345131976 |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=K5 News |archive-date=November 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112045136/http://www.king5.com/entertainment/television/programs/evening/husky-hero-dante-pettis-comes-from-a-famous-family/345131976 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Tim |date=September 2, 2015 |title=Family matter: Washington's Pettis faces cousin's alma mater |url=http://komonews.com/sports/huskies/family-matter-washingtons-pettis-faces-cousins-alma-mater |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=KOMO Newes}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{footballstats|yahoo=31014|espn=3127306|nfl=dante-pettis}} *[https://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/players-roster/dante-pettis/ New Orleans Saints bio] *[http://www.gohuskies.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4926 Washington Huskies bio] *{{commons category-inline}}
{{49ers2018DraftPicks}} {{2017 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}} {{Johnny Rodgers Award}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pettis, Dante}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:All-American college football players Category:American football return specialists Category:American football wide receivers Category:New York Giants players Category:Sportspeople from San Clemente, California Category:San Francisco 49ers players Category:Players of American football from Orange County, California Category:Washington Huskies football players Category:Chicago Bears players Category:New Orleans Saints players