Gary Zimmerman

Infobox NFLretired

---

width=
caption=
position=Tackle
number=65
birthdate=birth date and age|1961|12|13
Fullerton, California
deathdate=
debutyear=1986
finalyear=1997
draftyear=1984
draftround=1
draftpick=Supplemental
college=Oregon
teams=
* Los Angeles Express (1984–1985)
* Minnesota Vikings (1986-1992)
* Denver Broncos (1993-1997)
stat1label=Games played
stat1value=184
stat2label=Games started
stat2value=184
stat3label=Fumble recoveries
stat3value=4
nfl=ZIM369148
highlights=
* 7x Pro Bowl selection (1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996)
* 9x All-Pro selection (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996)
* NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
* NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
HOF=259

Gary Wayne Zimmerman (born December 13, 1961 in Fullerton, California) is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. Zimmerman played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1986-1992 and for the Denver Broncos from 1993-1997. He was selected to the Pro Bowl 7 times and was an All-Pro selection 8 times. He attended Walnut High School and the University of Oregon whereby he was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

In 1984, Zimmerman was drafted in the 2nd round (36th overall) by the Los Angeles Express in the 1984 USFL Draft. He subsequently signed with the Express on February 13, 1984 and went onto play in 17 games that season, starting all 17 at left tackle.

His Express teammate was future Pro Football Hall of Famer, QB Steve Young. The Express lost in the USFL Semi-Finals to the Arizona Wranglers to end a 10-8 regular season.

In 1985, Zimmerman suited up again with the Express, playing in 18 games (starting 17) with a 3-15 club that ended up out of the USFL playoff picture.

He was selected by the New York Giants in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft.

On February 2, 2008 he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Zimmerman joins Reggie White, Steve Young, Jim Kelly, Marv Levy, Sid Gillman as former USFL'ers who are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

External links

* [http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=259 Hall of Fame page]
* [http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d809b24db Hall of Fame induction speech]
* [http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/02/zimmerman/ Zimmerman Now a Hall of Famer - Rocky Mountain News (8/2/08)]
* [http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_10081023 Zimmerman Gets Bronzed - Denver Post (8/3/08)]