70 Days to Miami football: Tony Christiani undersized All-American
Tony Christiani became am All-American at middle guard for the Miami football team in 1973 despite being 5’9, 215 pounds.
Tony Christiani became a consensus All-American for the Miami football program in 1973 at middle guard despite being 5’9 215 pounds. Christiani came from a family of circus performers. His father owned the Christiani and Wallace Circus.
Christiani was a tight rope walker from a very young age through high school when he began to focus on football. Christiani overcame his lack of size by using speed and exceptional balance that he likely learned as a tight rope walker.
An impact player immediately for the Miami football team, Christiani started every game for the Hurricanes as a freshman. As a sophomore Christiani recorded 15 sacks for Miami. Christiani improved to 17 sacks as a junior. Sacks were not an official statistic during Christiani’s Miami career.
Miami Hurricanes Football
Former Miami nose tackle Bob Nelson who began his collegiate career in 1978 is the earliest player ranked in the top 10 at Miami in career sacks. Nelson is seventh with 22. Christiani would potentially be the leader. Christiani finished his Miami career with 259 tackles which at the time was a record for a middle guard.
In addition to earning consensus All-American honors in 1973, Christiani was named on numerous All-American teams in 1972. Christiani finished his Miami football career with 102 tackles as a senior in 1973. Christiani was one of the great early interior defensive linemen in Miami history.
In 1991 he was recognized with enshrinement into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. Because of his size, it was difficult for Christiani to earn a roster spot playing professional football. Christiani had a few chances.
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Christiani was on the roster of the Chicago Fire in the World Football League in 1974 and played for their rivals the Detroit Wheels the same season. In 1975, Christiani played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League. That was the last of his reported career as a professional football player.