Dante Pettis Bio
Dante Garrison Pettis is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 23, 1995, in San Clemente, California, he has built a versatile career as both a receiver and a punt returner, earning recognition for his playmaking ability at every level of the game. Pettis first gained national attention at the University of Washington, where he set an NCAA record for career punt return touchdowns and earned consensus All-American honors in 2017. Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, he has since spent time with multiple franchises, including the New York Giants and Chicago Bears, before joining the New Orleans Saints.
Early Life and Background
Dante Garrison Pettis was born on October 23, 1995, in San Clemente, California. He grew up in a deeply athletic family that shaped his early interest in competitive sports. His father, Gary Pettis, played in Major League Baseball and later became a coach for the Houston Astros, providing Dante with a direct connection to the world of professional athletics from a young age. That family background helped foster a competitive mindset and a strong work ethic that would later define his football career.
Pettis attended JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, California, where he was a multi-sport athlete, playing football and basketball while also running track. As a senior, he was a standout on the gridiron, recording 50 receptions for 889 yards and 11 touchdowns. His combination of speed, hands, and football intelligence made him a sought-after recruit, and he ultimately committed to the University of Washington to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Pettis’s path to professional football began with his commitment to the University of Washington, where he joined a Huskies program looking to develop his skills as both a receiver and a returner. From the moment he arrived on campus, he showed a natural feel for the return game, balancing his duties as a wide receiver with punt return responsibilities. His versatility and football IQ allowed him to contribute immediately, setting the foundation for what would become a record-breaking collegiate career.
Across his four seasons at Washington, Pettis steadily developed into one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football. He improved his receiving numbers each year while continuing to make an impact on special teams, and by his senior season, he had emerged as a consensus All-American. His performance in 2017, which included breaking the NCAA record for career punt return touchdowns, marked him as one of the top prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft class.
Dante Pettis Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
The San Francisco 49ers selected Dante Pettis in the second round, 44th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the fourth wide receiver taken in that year’s class. He made an immediate impression in his NFL debut during the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings, catching two passes for 61 receiving yards and a touchdown while also returning two punts. As a rookie, he finished the season with 27 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns before a knee injury placed him on injured reserve in late December 2018.
In his second NFL season with the 49ers, Pettis’s role was reduced, and he finished 2019 with 11 receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns. On November 3, 2020, the 49ers waived him, bringing his time in San Francisco to a close after two and a half seasons.
New York Giants Era (2020–2021)
On November 4, 2020, Pettis was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, giving him a fresh opportunity to establish himself in a new offensive system. He spent a brief stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list before being activated in December. In his first game as a Giant on December 27, 2020, he posted two receptions for 33 yards against the Baltimore Ravens. The following week against the Dallas Cowboys, he caught his first touchdown as a Giant, a 33-yard reception, finishing the 2020 campaign with four receptions for 76 yards, a 19-yard average per catch, and one touchdown.
Pettis returned to the Giants in 2021 on a practice squad deal before being promoted to the active roster in October. In a Week 7 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, he delivered his best performance of the season, hauling in five catches for 39 yards and a touchdown while also adding a 16-yard completion to quarterback Daniel Jones. A shoulder injury ended his year prematurely when he was placed on injured reserve on November 5, 2021.
Chicago Bears Era (2022–2023)
The Chicago Bears signed Pettis on May 11, 2022, where he carved out a role as a complementary receiver. One of his most notable moments came on October 14, 2022, when he caught four passes for 84 yards and scored the Bears’ only touchdown in a 12–7 loss to the Washington Commanders. He re-signed with the team on April 17, 2023, but was placed on injured reserve in late August and released shortly after with an injury settlement.
Pettis returned to the Bears again on March 15, 2024, re-signing with the franchise. However, he was once more placed on injured reserve on August 27 and released about a week later as the team finalized its roster.
New Orleans Saints Era (2024–Present)
On October 15, 2024, Pettis signed with the New Orleans Saints practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on December 7. In eight games for New Orleans, he served primarily as the team’s return man while also contributing as a receiver, compiling 12 receptions for 120 yards and one touchdown. He re-signed with the Saints on March 11, 2025, on a one-year contract, was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, and was re-signed to the practice squad on October 2 before being promoted back to the active roster on December 3.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Pettis’s career came during his senior season at Washington in 2017, when he broke the NCAA record for most career punt return touchdowns against the Oregon Ducks. That year, he also led the nation in punt return yards with 428 and added four return touchdowns, cementing his legacy as one of the most productive return men in college football history. His debut NFL touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 and his record-setting senior season at Washington stand out as signature milestones.
Dante Pettis Career Wins
While individual NFL game wins are team statistics rather than individual accolades, Dante Pettis has produced several memorable performance highlights across his professional career. His contributions in the return game and as a receiver have helped his teams in key moments, and his record-breaking senior season at Washington remains the statistical centerpiece of his résumé.
College Highlights
At the University of Washington, Pettis wrapped up his senior season in 2017 with 63 receptions for 761 yards and seven touchdown catches, alongside an NCAA-leading 428 punt return yards and four return touchdowns. He was a consensus All-American, earning first-team honors from the American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp Football Foundation, and The Sporting News. He also received the Jet Award in 2017 as the nation’s top return specialist, was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection, and finished his career as the NCAA’s all-time leader in career punt return touchdowns.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his college accolades, Pettis has been a steady contributor in the NFL as a returner and complementary receiver, recording five touchdowns as a rookie with the 49ers in 2018 and posting productive outings with the Giants and Bears in subsequent seasons. His 84-yard, one-touchdown performance against Washington in 2022 and his work as a return man for the Saints underline his continued value as a versatile playmaker.
Dante Pettis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Dante Pettis comes from one of the most accomplished athletic families in professional sports. His father, Gary Pettis, played in Major League Baseball and is a coach for the Houston Astros, giving Dante a direct link to the highest level of professional athletics. His brother, Kyler Pettis, is an actor, while his cousin, Austin Pettis, also played in the NFL. The family’s deep ties to professional sports have helped shape Dante’s competitive approach and broad athletic foundation.
Personal Life
Pettis has continued to pursue his football career while staying closely connected to his family, which has remained a central influence in his life. His professional journey has taken him from California to San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and New Orleans, and he continues to leverage the lessons learned from his family’s athletic background.
2025 Season Performance
Dante Pettis began the 2025 season with the New Orleans Saints after re-signing with the club in March on a one-year contract. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, but his value as a return specialist and reserve receiver brought him back to the organization when he re-signed to the practice squad on October 2, 2025. He was later promoted back to the active roster on December 3, 2025, giving him an opportunity to contribute during the back stretch of the regular season.
Throughout 2025, Pettis has continued to serve in a versatile role with the Saints, providing depth at wide receiver and handling punt return duties. His ability to contribute on special teams has kept him in demand, even amid the roster churn that is common at the bottom of NFL rosters. As the season winds down, his familiarity with the Saints’ system and his proven track record in the return game position him to remain a factor in the team’s late-season plans.