Dante Garrison Pettis Bio
Dante Garrison Pettis is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 23, 1995, in San Clemente, California, Pettis had a distinguished career at the University of Washington before entering the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers selected him in the second round (44th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. Throughout his NFL career, Pettis has been known for his versatility as both a receiver and return specialist, contributing to four different franchises. His career statistics include 92 receptions for 1,231 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns across his NFL tenure.
Early Life and Background
Dante Garrison Pettis grew up in San Clemente, California, where he developed his athletic abilities at a young age. He attended JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, California, where he excelled in multiple sports. During his high school career, Pettis played football, basketball, and ran track. As a senior at JSerra Catholic, he recorded 50 receptions for 889 yards and 11 touchdowns, demonstrating the receiving skills that would define his collegiate and professional career. His exceptional performance in high school attracted attention from major college programs.
Family played a significant role in shaping Pettis’s athletic journey. His father, Gary Pettis, was a Major League Baseball player and later became a coach for the Houston Astros. This athletic lineage provided Dante with a strong foundation in professional sports. His brother, Kyler Pettis, pursued an acting career, while his cousin, Austin Pettis, also played in the NFL. This environment of athletic excellence influenced Pettis’s development as a multi-sport athlete.
Path to American Football
Following his standout high school career, Pettis committed to play college football at the University of Washington. He joined the Washington Huskies program as a highly regarded recruit and quickly made an impact at the collegiate level. Pettis’s progression at Washington showcased his development from a promising freshman to one of the most dynamic players in the country by his senior season.
His college career trajectory demonstrated consistent improvement and increasing responsibility within the Huskies offense. Pettis evolved into a reliable receiving target and exceptional return specialist, qualities that would define his professional career. The foundation built during his college years at Washington directly prepared him for the challenges of NFL competition.
Dante Pettis Career
University of Washington Career (2014–2017)
As a true freshman for Washington in 2014, Pettis made an immediate impact with 17 receptions for 259 yards and one touchdown. He also contributed significantly on special teams, adding 288 punt return yards and one punt return touchdown. His sophomore season saw improvement with 30 receptions for 414 yards and one touchdown reception, along with 271 punt return yards and two punt return touchdowns.
During his junior year, Pettis elevated his game substantially, finishing with 53 receptions for 822 yards and 15 touchdown receptions. He also added 287 punt return yards and two more touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the top receivers in the Pac-12 Conference. His senior season in 2017 became the defining chapter of his college career.
In 2017, Pettis achieved several major milestones. Against the Oregon Ducks, he broke the NCAA record for most career punt return touchdowns. He earned consensus All-American honors, being named a first-team All-American by five major organizations. Pettis led the nation with 428 punt return yards and four punt return touchdowns while catching 63 passes for 761 yards and seven touchdowns. His exceptional season earned him the Jet Award, recognizing him as the top return specialist in college football.
San Francisco 49ers (2018–2020)
The San Francisco 49ers selected Pettis in the second round (44th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the fourth wide receiver selected that year. In his NFL debut during the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings, Pettis caught two passes for 61 receiving yards and one touchdown while adding two punt returns for 14 yards in the 24–16 loss. He continued to make contributions throughout his rookie season.
Pettis finished his rookie campaign with 27 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns before suffering a knee injury that placed him on injured reserve on December 29, 2018. His second season with the 49ers saw limited production, as he caught just 11 receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns. The 49ers waived Pettis on November 3, 2020.
New York Giants (2020–2021)
The New York Giants claimed Pettis off waivers on November 4, 2020. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list later that month and activated on December 1. Pettis made his Giants debut on December 27 against the Baltimore Ravens, finishing with two receptions for 33 yards. The following week against the Dallas Cowboys, he caught his first touchdown as a Giant for 33 yards. He finished the 2020 season with four receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown.
The Giants waived Pettis on September 1, 2021, and re-signed him to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 19, 2021. In Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, Pettis recorded five catches for 39 yards and one touchdown while adding a 16-yard pass to quarterback Daniel Jones. He was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury on November 5, 2021.
Chicago Bears (2022–2023)
On May 11, 2022, Pettis signed with the Chicago Bears. He made notable contributions during the season, including a performance on October 14 where he caught four passes for 84 yards and the Bears’ only touchdown during a 12–7 loss to the Washington Commanders. Pettis re-signed with the Bears on April 17, 2023, but was placed on injured reserve on August 26 and released with an injury settlement on September 6, 2023.
Pettis returned to the Bears on March 15, 2024, but his tenure was again interrupted by injury. He was placed on injured reserve on August 27 and released a week later, bringing his time with Chicago to an end.
New Orleans Saints Era (2024–Present)
On October 15, 2024, Pettis signed with the New Orleans Saints practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 7, 2024. In eight games during the 2024 season, Pettis served as the team’s return man and compiled 12 receptions for 120 yards and one touchdown. On March 11, 2025, he re-signed with the Saints on a one-year contract. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts before being re-signed to the practice squad on October 2, 2025.
Dante Pettis Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Dante Pettis has demonstrated his ability to contribute as both a receiver and return specialist across multiple franchises. His career statistics reflect his production at the professional level, spanning his time with the San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints.
| Season | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | San Francisco 49ers | 27 | 467 | 5 |
| 2019 | San Francisco 49ers | 11 | 109 | 2 |
| 2020 | San Francisco 49ers/New York Giants | 8 | 109 | 3 |
| 2021 | New York Giants | 9 | 71 | 1 |
| 2022 | Chicago Bears | 19 | 244 | 1 |
| 2024 | New Orleans Saints | 12 | 120 | 1 |
| 2025 | New Orleans Saints | 9 | 127 | 0 |
Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Dante Pettis comes from a distinguished athletic family with deep roots in professional sports. His father, Gary Pettis, had a successful career in Major League Baseball and has continued his baseball involvement as a coach for the Houston Astros. This established professional athlete background provided Dante with valuable insights into the demands and discipline required to succeed at the highest levels of sports.
Personal Life
The Pettis family has maintained a strong presence across multiple sports. Dante’s brother, Kyler Pettis, pursued an acting career, demonstrating the family’s diverse talents beyond athletics. His cousin, Austin Pettis, also reached the NFL, keeping the family connected to professional football. This multigenerational athletic legacy has contributed to Dante’s understanding of professional sports expectations and professional conduct throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a challenging year for Dante Pettis with the New Orleans Saints. After re-signing with the team on March 11, 2025, on a one-year contract, Pettis faced unexpected setbacks during training camp. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the team’s final roster cuts before the season began. This release came as a surprise given his contributions during the 2024 season.
However, Pettis returned to the Saints organization on October 2, 2025, when he was re-signed to the practice squad. His perseverance and continued dedication to the team led to his promotion to the active roster on December 3, 2025. Throughout the 2025 season, Pettis appeared in eight games, recording nine receptions for 127 yards. While these numbers reflect limited opportunities, his ability to remain with the franchise demonstrates his value as a depth player and special teams contributor.