Tommy Casanova

Thomas Henry "Tommy" Casanova, III (born July 29, 1950) is an ophthalmologist in Crowley, Louisiana, and a former American football player and politician. He played football for the LSU Tigers and the Cincinnati Bengals. He was also a Republican member of the Louisiana State Senate from 1996 to 2000.

Early life

Born in New Orleans, Casanova graduated in 1968 from the Roman Catholic Notre Dame High School in Crowley, the seat of Acadia Parish.

College

After high school, Casanova went to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he became one of the greatest LSU football players in the history of the institution. He played three seasons for LSU: 1969, 1970, and 1971. At LSU, Casanova did it all, playing running back, punt returner, kick returner, and defensive back. During each of his three years at LSU, he was selected as a member of the College Football All-America Team (Casanova is the only three-time All-American in LSU history). In the September 13, 1971 issue of Sports Illustrated, the magazine featured Casanova on the front cover, with the headline: "Tommy Casanova of LSU, Best Player in the Nation." In 2000, the Walter Camp Football Foundation selected Casanova for their All-Century team ^[1] (honoring the best college football players of the 20th century). Major games from Casanova's time at LSU include #9 LSU's 21-20 victory over #14 Auburn in 1969 (televised on ABC), #14 LSU's 17-9 victory at #6 Auburn in 1970, #11 LSU's 14-9 victory at #19 Alabama in 1970 (televised on ABC), #8 LSU's 61-17 victory over #16 Ole Miss in 1970 (televised on ABC), and #14 LSU's 28-8 victory over #7 Notre Dame in 1971 (televised on ABC). His jersey (#37) was retired from LSU football on October 10, 2009.

NFL

In 1972, Casanova was drafted in Round 2, pick 29 by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played safety for the Bengals from 1972 to 1977, being selected to the Pro Bowl in 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977. Known as a faster than average, hard-hitting free safety, Casanova also collected 17 career interceptions, in what is considered a short career.

Later life

While playing for the Bengals, Casanova began to pursue his M.D. at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. In 1977, he quit playing football early to pursue his medical degree full time. He graduated from the UC College of Medicine in 1980, and then began a three-year residency in ophthalmology in New Orleans. After completing his residency in 1983, Casanova went on to complete a specialization in Oculoplastic Surgery at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Politics

In the historically Democratic District 26, the Republican Casanova upset veteran state Senator Armand Brinkhaus of Sunset, a small town in St. Landry Parish, in the 1995 Louisiana jungle primary. Casanova received 21,543 votes (58 percent) to Brinkhaus' 15,753 (42 percent). In addition to Acadia and St. Landry parishes, the district included parts of five other parishes: Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Lafayette. After a single term, Casanova declined to seek reelection and returned to his ophthalmology practice in Crowley. He was succeeded by the Democrat Fred Hoyt. In the 2003 gubernatorial election, Casanova supported a Democratic candidate, former State Senate President Randy Ewing of Jackson Parish in north Louisiana. Ewing's term as Senate president coincided with Casanova's legislative years.

Family

Tommy is living in Crowley, LA. Casanova is married to Jeanne Basara, and they have two children, Lauren and Dominic. His daughter, Lauren Casanova, follows in her father's footsteps, attending Louisiana State University. She is actively studying Latin Ballroom, specifically the Cha Cha. He is a member of the Louisiana and Acadia Parish medical societies as well as the Louisiana Clean Team, the LSU Alumni Association, and Ducks Unlimited.

Footnotes

References

• databasefootball.com Retrieved on December 29, 2006.
• Senate District 26
• Louisiana Secretary of State - Official Election Results - Results for Election Date: 10/21/95