Jose Portilla


Jose Casiano Portilla is a former American football offensive tackle who played two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He first enrolled at Ricks College before transferring to the University of Arizona. He attended MacArthur High School in East Aldine, Texas. Portilla was also a member of the Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL.

Early years

Portilla was born on September 11, 1972 in Zaragoza, Mexico and moved to the Houston, Texas area when he was six years old. He played high school football for the MacArthur High School Generals and was an all-district selection.

College career

Ricks College

Portilla first played college football for the Ricks Vikings. The team only lost one game in his two years there.

University of Arizona

Portilla transferred to play for the Arizona Wildcats from 1996 to 1997. He was a two-year starter for the Wildcats, earning 1st Team Pac-10 All-Academic his senior year in 1997. He was also named to the Hula Bowl.

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

Portilla signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 1998 after going undrafted in the 1998 NFL Draft. He played in all sixteen regular season games and three post season games, including the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XXXIII, during his rookie season. He played in four games for the Falcons in 1999. Portilla was released by the Falcons before the start of the 2000 season.

Los Angeles Xtreme

Portilla played for the Los Angeles Xtreme in 2001, winning the Million Dollar Game.