SAN DIEGO, Calif. - An inspirational Yale Football captain has been taken from us far too soon. Peter Mazza '01 passed yesterday after a long and valiant battle with cancer.

The Cheshire, Conn., native and three-sport all-state pick became the 123^rd captain of Yale Football in 2000 before attending University of Michigan Law School and practicing in Southern California. A former federal prosecutor, Mazza rejoined the U.S. Attorney's Office in February of 2019 and was sworn in as second-in-command of one of the busiest federal districts in the nation.

His professional ascension did not surprise any of his coaches or teammates, who watched him lead by example on and off the field.

Mazza, whose team of high-profile and future NFL stars voted him the lone captain, had a knack for making big plays and stopping them. His 67-yard interception at the Bowl against Valparaiso in 1999 is the seventh longest in school history.


Former Yale head coach Jack Siedlecki, whose first recruiting commitment came from the local legend, called a fake punt against Holy Cross that same Ivy League Championship season and watched Mazza run 43 yards for a critical first down. He also enjoyed seeing his captain's ability to find the ball on defense, racking up 303 career tackles, which still rank among Yale's top 10 and helped him earn a spot on multiple All-Ivy League teams. Mazza was also the 2000 Walter Camp Football Foundation Connecticut Player of the Year.

"He set the tone for four years as to what kind of team we were going to be," said Siedlecki of his four-year starter who helped the Bulldogs go from 1-9 in 1997 to 9-1 in 1999. "He had the respect of everyone associated with the program, including the coaches and players.

We had a zoom call Monday night with about 50 of his former teammates and coaches. My wife was sitting in the room with me and heard everyone speak. The thing that impressed her the most were the guys - great players or not - who spoke about their children and how they used Peter as an example of what they want their children to be. He was wise beyond his years and a great leader of men who will be missed dearly. My heart goes out to Peter's wife (Megan) and their three young children."

Than Merrill '01, who played on the same side of the line with Mazza before becoming an NFL defensive back, thought his captain was a great player, an amazing teammate and an even better friend.

"His passion for the game was contagious, "said Merrill. "He cherished and embraced the history of Yale Football and he would convey his respect for the men who came before us in his speeches as captain of the team. Pete led by example and was always prepared for every situation. He was the wise old man amongst young men trying to find their way. Pete was equally successful and respected in his law career. Anyone who met him liked him and had a tremendous amount of respect for him as a lawyer, father, and husband. I will miss Pete and love him dearly."

Mazza, whose Yale class was the last to beat Harvard three consecutive years, was a winner before coming to New Haven. His Cheshire High Football Teams, coached by Steve Addazio and Mark Ecke, went 46-0 and captured four state championships. He earned all-state honors on the gridiron, in baseball and on the ski team prior to spending a post-graduate year at Avon Old Farms, where he started for the football team at quarterback and linebacker.