Tony Siragusa
About
Biography
Filmography
Biography
Retired football player and sideline analyst extraordinaire Tony Siragusa is the sort of man who begs a nickname. Calling him by his first name just seems too formal, hence his ubiquitous moniker, "Goose." Despite his girthy frame and football savvy, Siragusa was not drafted out of college. He landed a job as defensive tackle with the Indianapolis Colts in 1990 and built a reputation as a run-stopper. His time in Indy notwithstanding, Siragusa is best known for the five seasons he anchored the line for the stalwart Baltimore Ravens defense. That unit carried the team to a championship in Super Bowl XXXV. Siragusa retired from the NFL in 2001, but he remained on the sidelines for a second career as an on-field analyst with the FOX network. Siragusa's large frame carried him through his playing days, but his larger-than-life personality has led to copious on-screen work as an analyst, actor and TV host.
Anthony Siragusa was born in Kenilworth, New Jersey on May 14, 1967. He attended Kenilworth's David Brearley High School and played both defensive lineman and kicker on the football team. He also captured a state championship in wrestling. Siragusa went on to play football at the University of Pittsburgh but went undrafted. He played seven seasons with the Colts before joining the fearsome Ravens. Baltimore won Super Bowl XXXV in a 34-7 annihilation of the New York Giants, with the only points allowed coming on a kickoff return. Linebacker Ray Lewis became one of the few defensive players to win a Super Bowl MVP, but the award could easily have gone to the entire defense for their stingy play.
After retiring from football, Siragusa became known for his shoot-from-the-hip commentary and witty banter with in-booth broadcasters Kenny Albert and Daryl Johnston on FOX's football coverage. Johnston played against Siragusa as fullback with the Dallas Cowboys where he earned the nickname "Moose," setting up a tailor-made tandem of "Goose and Moose." Siragusa also honed his acting chops with a turn as Ukrainian gangster Kostya Novotny in the Spike Lee film, "25th Hour" (2002), as well as a recurring role as Frankie Cortese on "The Sopranos" (HBO, 1999-2007). Siragusa clearly preferred being himself in front of the camera, and subsequently became the host of "Man Caves" (DIY Network, 2007-). In 2012, he also became a published author with Goose: The Outrageous Life and Times of a Football Guy.
Life Events
1990
Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts
1997
Signed with the Baltimore Ravens
2001
Won Super Bowl XXXV with the Ravens
2001
Retired from football
2002
Feature film debut in Spike Lee's "25th Hour"
2004
Landed a recurring role on "The Sopranos"
2007
Became the host of "Man Caves"
