Anthony Joseph Zettel (born August 9, 1992) is an American former professional football defensive end. He played college football at Penn State. He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Early life
Zettel attended Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch, Michigan, where he was a first-team all-state selection as a senior. He recorded 82 solo tackles, 25 assisted tackles and dropped the
quarterback in the backfield seven times as a senior.
Zettel also lettered in baseball, basketball and track & field at Ogemaw Heights. As a senior in track, he set the Michigan high school state record in the shot put with a toss of , earning his second straight state championship and breaking both the school record (60'9") and the Division II state record (58'8"). That same year, he finished second in the discus with a heave of .
Zettel was rated as a four-star recruit and was listed as the nation's No. 6 prep defensive end by Rivals.com.
College career
Zettel played inside and outside during a 2014 first-team All-Big Ten Conference season at Penn State and recorded 17 tackles for loss, eight
Quarterback sack, and three interceptions. He was moved inside in 2015 and his production dipped a bit with 47 tackles, 11 for loss, four sacks and six
pass breakups.
Professional career
Detroit Lions
Zettel was selected in the sixth round (202nd overall) by the
Detroit Lions in the 2016 NFL draft.
He recorded his first career sack against New York Giants quarterback
Eli Manning in Week 15 of the 2016 NFL season.
On September 5, 2018, Zettel was waived by the Lions.
Cleveland Browns
On September 6, 2018, Zettel was claimed off waivers by the
Cleveland Browns.
He was released during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.
Cincinnati Bengals
On October 17, 2019, Zettel was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals.
He was waived on October 21,
but re-signed on October 23.
He was waived on December 17, 2019.
San Francisco 49ers (first stint)
On December 23, 2019, the San Francisco 49ers signed Zettel.
Zettel reached Super Bowl LIV with the 49ers, but the team was defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Minnesota Vikings
On March 25, 2020, Zettel signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
He was released on September 2, 2020.
New Orleans Saints
On September 19, 2020, Zettel was signed to the
practice squad of the New Orleans Saints practice squad.
He was elevated to the active roster on December 5 for the team's week 13 game against the
Atlanta Falcons, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.
He was released on January 11, 2021,
but re-signed with the practice squad on January 13.
Zettel was released again on January 16.
San Francisco 49ers (second stint)
On July 27, 2021, Zettel signed with the 49ers.
On August 6, 2021, Zettel announced his retirement from professional football.
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