Dante Pettis


Dante Garrison Pettis is an American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at Washington.

Early years

Pettis attended JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, California. He played football, basketball and ran track. As a senior, he recorded 50 receptions for 889 yards and 11 touchdown receptions. He committed to the University of Washington to play college football.

College career

Freshman season

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.

Sophomore season

As a sophomore, he recorded 30 receptions for 414 yards and a touchdown reception with 271 punt return yards and two punt return touchdowns.

Junior season

As a junior, he finished with 53 receptions, 822 yards, 15 touchdown receptions, 287 punt return yards and two touchdowns.

Senior season

As a senior in 2017 against the Oregon Ducks, he broke the record for most career punt return touchdowns in NCAA history. Pettis garnered consensus All-America honors as a result of being named a first-team All-American by the AFCA, FWAA, Walter Camp Football Foundation, and The Sporting News. He finished the season with 63 receptions, 761 yards, and seven touchdown receptions, as well as 428 punt return yards and four touchdowns.

Professional career

The San Francisco 49ers selected Pettis in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the fourth wide receiver to be selected that year.

2018 season: Rookie year

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. On December 29, 2018, Pettis was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury.
Pettis finished his rookie season with 27 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns.

NFL statistics

Personal life

His father, Gary Pettis, played in Major League Baseball and is a coach for the Houston Astros. His brother, Kyler Pettis, is an actor and his cousin, Austin Pettis, played in the NFL.