5 Biggest
Texas Tech football
NFL Draft busts
Just about every Red Raider knows the tragic story of Gabe Rivera, perhaps the best defensive player to ever suit up for the Red Raiders. That’s why it’s no shock that he tops this list of Texas Tech NFL Draft busts.
With his 300-pound weight and ability to outpace most of his collegiate peers, he possessed a physical strength that the program hasn’t seen before. 321 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 11 pass deflections, and 6 fumble recoveries were his total from 1979 to 1982.
That included setting a record for a Red Raider defensive tackle in 1982 with 105 tackles. Being the Aaron Donald of his time, many believed he would rule the NFL as he had the collegiate levels, winning SWC Defensive Player of the Year and All-America honors in 1982.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with the 21st overall choice (first round) in the 1983 draft. Given that it’s still on the board, the choice is still notorious for that franchise.
As a rookie, Rivera racked up two sacks in his first six games. But on October 20, 1983 he was paralyzed in a car accident as he drove drunk.
It was a sad and abrupt end to the career of one of the most promising players to ever come from Texas Tech. As a result, Rivera will always be considered an NFL bust as fans will always wonder what “Senor Sack” could have done in the NFL had he not suffered such a horrific injury.
