Education
After high school, Casanova attended in Baton Rouge. As a freshman in 1968, he led the Baby Bengals in rushing with 209 yards in 54 attempts. He also returned punts and kickoffs, and was a defensive standout.
In 1969, Casanova"s first year on the varsity, he was shifted to cornerback.
Louisiana State University fielded four defensive All-Americans in linebackers George Bevan and Mike Anderson, defensive tackle Ronnie Estay, and Casanova.
Along with quarterback Mike Hillman, this team has been labeled by some sportswriters as the greatest ever assembled by Louisiana State University. The Tigers lost only one game that year to arch-rival Ole Mississippi Yet the Tigers defeated Auburn University, 21–20 in an afternoon game in Tiger Stadium.
Casanova played running back, kick returner, and defensive back for the Tigers.
During each of his three years at Louisiana State University, he was selected as a member of the Football All-America Team Casanova is the only three-time All-American in Louisiana State University history. In the September 13, 1971 issue of Sports Illustrated, the magazine featured Casanova on the front cover, with the headline: "Tommy Casanova of Louisiana State University, Best Player in the Nation." In 2000, the Walter Camp Football Foundation selected Casanova for their All-Century team, honoring the best college football players of the 20th century.
His jersey number 37 was retired from Louisiana State University football on October 10, 2009.
Career
He played college football at Louisiana State University where he was a three-time All-American. He played professionally in the for the Cincinnati Bengals for six seasons and was invited to three Pro Bowls, as well as an All-Pro in 1976. He is currently an ophthalmologist in Crowley, Louisiana.
As a senior at Notre Dame he was chosen to play in the Louisiana High School Coaches Association all-star game.
Casanova was drafted in the second of round of the 1972 draft with the 29th overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played safety for the Bengals from 1972 to 1977 and collected 17 interceptions.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1974, 1976, and 1977 and was an All-Pro selection in 1976. While playing for the Bengals, Casanova began to pursue his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati of Medicine.
In 1977, he quit playing football early to pursue his medical degree full-time.
He graduated from the University of California 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. In the 1995 nonpartisan blanket primary in the historically Democratic District 26, formerly District 24, the Republican Casanova upset veteran Democrat state Senator Armand Brinkhaus.
Casanova received 21,543 votes (58 percent) to Brinkhaus"s 15,753 (42 percent).
In addition to Acadia and Saint Landry, the district included parts of five other parishes: Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Lafayette. During his term Casanova served alongside another physician, Donald East. Hines, who subsequently was the state Senate President from 2004 to 2008.
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.
Membership
He is also a Republican former member of the Louisiana State Senate, having served from 1996 to 2000. During each of his three years at Louisiana State University, he was selected as a member of the Football All-America Team Casanova is the only three-time All-American in Louisiana State University history.
