Ex-Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel says he's THRILLED his former player Anthony Gonzalez was elected to congress Tuesday night ... saying he'd been planning for a political career ever since he was in the NFL.
The 34-year-old wide receiver -- who was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1st round of the 2007 NFL Draft -- was running for congress in Ohio's 16th District (as a republican) and WON!
Tressel -- who also worked as a consultant with the Colts while AG was on the team -- says he's convinced Gonzalez will be spectacular in his new role.