Vinny Testaverde Sr. is a former professional quarterback. He played college football at Miami, where he was an All-American and won the Heisman Trophy in 1986. Testaverde was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers first overall in the 1987 NFL Draft.

After leaving as a free agent, he signed with the Cleveland Browns and was among the personnel transferred to the newly created Baltimore Ravens during a controversial relocation of the team. He then joined the New York Jets, where he achieved his greatest success. In the last four seasons of his career, he played with the Dallas Cowboys, the Jets for a second time, the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers for one year each. Testaverde's professional career was principally characterized by its longevity, lasting 21 seasons, playing with seven different teams. At the time of his retirement, he finished  in the top 10 upon retirement in most career passing statistics including 6th in career passing yardage, 7th in career touchdown passes and 6th in career completions. 

Testaverde has served as the Quarterbacks Coach at Jesuit High School of Tampa, where his son Vincent, Jr. attended.