Andre Gurode

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Lore & Background

Gurode's NFL journey began when the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the second round, 37th overall, of the 2002 NFL draft. He made history by becoming the first rookie in club history to start at center on opening day. In 2002, the Cowboys lined up five African-American starters on the offensive line—Gurode at center, tackles Flozell Adams and Solomon Page, guards Larry Allen and Kelvin Garmon—believed to be the first time an NFL franchise had done so. Gurode also served as the starting center when Emmitt Smith eclipsed Walter Payton as the NFL's all-time leading rusher against the Seattle Seahawks on October 27, 2002. After being moved to guard under coach Bill Parcells, Gurode returned to center in 2006 and rededicated himself, winning the starting job over Al Johnson. That season, on October 1, 2006, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth stomped on Gurode's head, causing a laceration requiring thirty stitches; Haynesworth was ejected and suspended for five games without pay. Gurode started all 16 regular season games and one postseason game that year, earning his first Pro Bowl selection as an injury replacement. He went on to earn five straight Pro Bowl selections (2006–2010) and was ranked 57th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.

In Their Own Story

In 2003, Bill Parcells was hired as the Cowboys head coach and decided that Gurode's best position was at guard, starting 15 games at that position in 2003 and 13 games in 2004 with mixed results, before getting benched for the final two games. At the start of the 2005 season, Parcells accepted he made a misjudgment by moving Gurode to guard and switched him back to center, with the Cowboys also signing Marco Rivera to take his place at guard. That season, he was a versatile backup, playing behind Al Johnson at center and Rivera at right guard, appearing in all 16 games and starting two. Following the 2006 season, Gurode was named to his first Pro Bowl as an injury replacement. On February 20, 2007, the Cowboys re-signed Gurode to a six-year contract worth US$30 million including a $10 million signing bonus. Gurode developed into one of the league's most respected centers, starting in 14 regular season games and one postseason game in 2007, all 16 games in 2008, all 16 games in 2009, and all 16 games in 2010. He was selected to the Sporting News All-Pro Team (2007, Pro Football Writers 2009). He had offseason left knee surgery and missed the 2011 season training camp and three out of four preseason games. With the emergence of second-year player Phil Costa, he was released after the preseason following failed negotiations regarding a restructured contract. Gurode then signed a 1-year, $3 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens on September 4, 2011, appearing in 13 games and starting five. On November 27, 2012, the Chicago Bears signed him after losing guards Lance Louis and Chris Spencer to injuries; he was waived on December 11, 2012. On July 26, 2013, Gurode signed with the Oakland Raiders, playing in ten games and starting four. At the end of the 2013 NFL season, he became a free agent.

Reader's Guide

Andre Gurode played as a center and guard in the NFL. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round, with the 37th overall pick, of the 2002 NFL draft as a center. He started fast by becoming the first rookie in club history to start at center on opening day. During his eight seasons with Dallas, he was named to five Pro Bowls (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). He was selected to the Sporting News All-Pro Team (2007, Pro Football Writers 2009). He was ranked 57th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011. In his final three seasons, Gurode spent one year each with the Baltimore Ravens (2011, 13 games, 5 starts), Chicago Bears (2012, signed November 27, waived December 11), and Oakland Raiders (2013, 10 games, 4 starts). After his playing career, Gurode was hired by the Houston Roughnecks on September 13, 2022. On January 1, 2024, it was announced the Roughnecks Staff would not be a part of the UFL Merger. He was transferred to the San Antonio Brahmas along with Wade Phillips. He is currently the assistant offensive line coach for the Colorado Buffaloes of the Big 12 (NCAA).

Did You Know?

• Gurode was the first rookie in Dallas Cowboys history to start at center on opening day (2002).
• He was the starting center when Emmitt Smith passed Walter Payton as the NFL's all-time leading rusher on October 27, 2002.
• In 2002, the Cowboys fielded five African-American starters on the offensive line, believed to be the first time an NFL franchise had done so.
• On October 1, 2006, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth stomped on Gurode's head, causing a laceration requiring thirty stitches; Haynesworth was suspended for five games without pay.
• Gurode earned a degree in ethnic studies from the University of Colorado and was named to the CU Athletic Hall of Fame in the 2023 Class.