Octavio González

Octavio Noé González Chapa is a Mexican professional gridiron football defensive end for the Caudillos de Chihuahua of the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA). He played college football at UANL.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is González and the second or maternal family name is Chapa.
Octavio González
No. 93 – Caudillos de Chihuahua
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born:Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:256 lb (116 kg)
Career information
College:UANL
CFL Draft:2019 LFA / Round: 1 / Pick: 7
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Octavio González
Medal record
Men’s American football
Representing  Mexico
World Championship
Bronze medal – third place2015 CantonTeam

González spent three seasons with the Fundidores de Monterrey and was drafted by the BC Lions in the 2019 CFL–LFA Draft, though he was released in training camp due to injury. He played with the Parrilleros de Monterrey of the Fútbol Americano de México league in 2022 before joining the Caudillos the following year. In 2023, González was named Tazón México MVP in Tazón México VI after aiding the team to a perfect season.

González has represented the Mexico national team, winning a bronze medal at the 2015 IFAF World Championship.

Early life

A native of Monterrey, Nuevo León, González began playing American football around the age of six.[1] He was big for his age and thus played as a fullback for the Halcones Monterrey.[2] González moved to San Antonio, Texas, with his family when he was 12 and joined the middle school basketball team, though he later returned to Mexico.[1]

College career

González attended the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL) and played college football for the Auténticos Tigres UANL as a star defensive lineman.[1][3] He helped the team win back-to-back ONEFA championships in 2011 and 2012. González left the team in 2014 to join 4th & Inches Sports Performance, a training program in Arlington, Texas, which helped him improve his strength and technique.[4][5] He returned to the Auténticos Tigres UANL for the 2014 season, his final year of eligibility, leading them to an appearance in the ONEFA championship game.[6]

González was later named to the ONEFA Liga Mayor Team of the Decade for the 2010s by Mundo del Ovoide.[7]

Professional career

In January 2015, González played in the College Gridiron Showcase in Arlington, Texas, where he recorded one sack, two solo tackles, and multiple quarterback hurries in front of National Football League (NFL) scouts.[5] He attended an NFL Regional Combine in Houston the following month,[4][5] followed by Pro Day at the University of North Texas.[8] From there, González was invited to participate in "Dallas Day," a pre-draft workout with the Dallas Cowboys, with about 50 other prospects.[8][9] He was not offered a contract.

Fundidores de Monterrey (2018–2019)

After three years out of football, González signed with the Fundidores de Monterrey of the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA) ahead of the 2018 LFA season.[10] He became a key member of the Fundidores defensive unit that allowed the second-fewest yards in the league (2,138).[11] González recorded 7.5 sacks and blocked two extra points on the season.[2] González was subsequently invited to the New York Giants rookie mini-camp in May 2018.[5][12] However, he was not offered a contract.

González was selected by the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the seventh overall pick of the 2019 CFL–LFA Draft.[13] He had improved his draft stock after recording 31 bench press reps at the CFL–LFA Combine in Mexico City, the most out of the select pool of 51 players.[14] The Lions general manager, Ed Hervey, was reported to have "settled for athletic and the ability to speak English" in player evaluations.[15]

González returned to the Fundidores de Monterrey for the 2019 LFA season.[16][17] The Fundidores defense allowed a league-best 2,059 yards as González recorded a team-high five sacks on the season.[18] However, the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs after a 53–47 overtime loss to the Raptors de Naucalpan. Just a few weeks later, González joined the BC Lions training camp in May along with fellow countrymen Fernando Richarte and Gerardo Álvarez.[19] However, he was released in early June after having suffered a broken foot in camp.[20][21]

González recorded one sack in 2020 before the remainder of the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[22] He also returned a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Mexicas CDMX.[23] The 2021 LFA season was cancelled as well.

Parrilleros de Monterrey (2022)

González signed with the Parrilleros de Monterrey, an expansion team in the rival Fútbol Americano de México (FAM) league, ahead of the 2022 FAM season.[24] He aided the team to an appearance in the Balón de Plata, the league championship game, though they lost to the Rojos CDMX.

Caudillos de Chihuahua (2023–present)

After the FAM league shut down operations, González signed with the Caudillos de Chihuahua, one of four FAM teams who joined the LFA ahead of the 2023 LFA season.[25] The Caudillos finished the regular season with a perfect 10–0 record. González contributed four sacks on a defensive unit that led the league in fewest points allowed (188) and fewest yards allowed (3,055).[26][27] He recorded two key sacks in the fourth quarter of their 34–20 semifinal win over the defending champions, the Fundidores de Monterrey.[28]

The Caudillos went on to defeat the Dinos de Saltillo by a score of 10–0 in Tazón México VI to complete their perfect season.[29][30] González earned Tazón México MVP honors, becoming the second defensive player (and second defensive lineman) to win the award.[29][30]

National team career

González was called up to represent the Mexico national team at the 2015 IFAF World Championship.[3] He was named the team MVP in their opening game against the United States after recording two sacks, one tackle for loss and a forced fumble in the 30–6 defeat.[31] Mexico ultimately defeated France, 20–7, in the bronze medal game for their best finish since 2003.[32]

Personal life

In 2019, González was a contestant on the third season of the Exatlón Estados Unidos, a reality competition series on Telemundo.[1] He later returned for the show's fifth season.[33] González reached the finals on both occasions.[30]

In December 2020, González announced his engagement to his girlfriend, model Flor Véliz.[34][35]

References
  1. "Perfil de Tavo González". Telemundo (in Spanish). 22 January 2021. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  2. Baker, Matt (15 May 2019). "Mini-Camp Report | Global players begin CFL dreams" (in Spanish). BC Lions. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  3. Vasavilbaso, Luis Miguel (4 July 2015). "Octavio González, entre el sueño de la NFL y el Mundial Senior 2015". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  4. "Octavio Tavo González participará en el NFL Regional Combine". Máximo Avance (in Spanish). 9 February 2015. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  5. "El mexicano Octavio González entrena con Gigantes NFL". La Silla Rota (in Spanish). 12 May 2018. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  6. "Disputan Tigres de la Uanl y Pumas CU su sexta final consecutiva". La Opción de Chihuahua (in Spanish). 8 November 2014. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  7. Hernández, Emmanuel (3 January 2020). "Cinco fundidores de Monterrey se 'codean' con la élite". El Horizonte (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  8. "Mexicano Octavio González se prueba en "Dallas Day" de los Cowboys". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). 10 April 2015. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  9. McKeon, John (13 April 2015). "Top Defensive End from Mexico Turning NFL Heads". American Football International. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  10. "Octavio González en Fundidores" (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional. 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  11. Hernández, Emmanuel (12 May 2018). "LFA llevando el talento Mexicano a la NFL" (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  12. "El mexicano Octavio González realiza prueba con los Giants". ESPN (in Spanish). 12 May 2018. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  13. Baker, Matt (14 January 2019). "Lions Add Three Players In CFL-LFA Mexico Draft" (Press release). BC Lions. Archived from the original on 15 January 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  14. "CFL holds combine in Mexico City in effort to grow football worldwide". Sportsnet. 13 January 2019. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  15. Adams, J.J. (17 January 2019). "Mexican combine, CBA talks make for unusual off-season: Lions' Hervey". The Province. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  16. "Fundidores Vs. Dinos sí es un Clásico: Coach Tito González" (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional. 9 February 2019. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  17. "Mexico: Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional kicks off – North Division Preview". American Football International. 19 February 2019. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  18. Mayen, Fernanda (5 February 2020). "Fundidores de cara a la temporada 2020" (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  19. "International players 'excited to make dreams come true' in CFL". Moose Jaw Today. 14 May 2019. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  20. Baker, Matt (4 June 2019). "Lions trim roster by 13" (Press release). BC Lions. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  21. Willes, Ed (5 June 2019). "The Latino Lions live up to league's Mexico project hopes". The Province. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  22. Hernández, Emmanuel (19 May 2020). "Fundidores: fortaleza defensiva que "derrite" rivales" (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  23. "Cortina en llamas" (in Spanish). Mexicas CDMX. 28 February 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  24. "Parrilleros se reporta listo para su temporada debut". El Vigía (in Spanish). 7 April 2022. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  25. Lospinuso, Vincent (3 March 2023). "Mexico: Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional prepares for the 2023 season". American Football International. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  26. Cárdenas, René (7 June 2023). "Ultimo Down/LFA estrenará campeón". El Diario de Sonora (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  27. "Estadísticas 2023" (in Spanish). LFA.mx. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  28. Mayen, Fernanda (29 May 2023). "Caudillos de Chihuahua jugará el Tazón México en su primer año en la LFA". Máximo Avance (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  29. Mayen, Fernanda (11 June 2023). "¡Histórico! Caudillos nuevo campeón invicto de la LFA" (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  30. Acevedo, Mariana (13 June 2023). ""Formamos una familia": Octavio González tras ser campeón de la LFA con Caudillos". Esto.com.mx (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  31. Arenas, Alain (11 July 2015). "La medalla y la NFL, los ideales de Octavio González". Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 16 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  32. Arenas, Alain (18 July 2015). "México vence a Francia y gana bronce en Mundial de Americano". Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  33. Ginestra, Mauricio (28 January 2021). "Octavio "Tavo" Gonzalez regresa por la revancha a Exatlon EEUU: Lo que debes saber". ahoramismo.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  34. "Flor Véliz SE CASA; así de romántica fue su propuesta de matrimonio". Multimedios (in Spanish). 21 December 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  35. Ginestra, Mauricio (21 December 2020). "Octavio "Tavo" González, de EXATLON EEUU, se casa ¿Quién es su prometida?". ahoramismo.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
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