Aug 4, 2008 10:43 am US/Mountain
A Day Of Glory For Broncos' Zimmerman
Gary Zimmerman Gets Inducted Into NFL Hall Of Fame This Weekend
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By Michael Marot, AP Sports Writer
CANTON, Ohio (AP) ―
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Zimmerman takes the stage during the Class of 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on Saturday.
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
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Zimmerman poses with John Elway and Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
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Gary Zimmerman's jersey at the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton on July 27, 2008.
Murray Froehlich
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A banner of Gary Zimmerman in Canton leading up to his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame flaps in the wind on July 27, 2008.
Murray Froehlich
Offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman became the second Denver Broncos player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame over the weekend.
Zimmerman never wanted to be an offensive lineman.
To hear him tell it, nobody does.
He went to Oregon because it was the only school offering him a chance to play middle linebacker, an opportunity that vanished quickly. When he showed up for the team's first practice, the Ducks gave him No. 75 -- an unusual number for a linebacker.
"After practice, the coaches pulled me aside and explained my future might be on the offensive line," Zimmerman said during Saturday's Hall of Fame induction ceremony. "The Dalai Lama once said that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. Nobody starts out wanting to play the offensive line position. It's just where we end up."
Zimmerman didn't exactly embrace the switch but he certainly made the most of it. He's now one of only 12 Hall of Fame players to have spent his entire career at tackle.
"Offensive linemen conform to the herd principle," he said. "It's not good to be singled out for good or bad, and that's why it's hard for me to be standing here alone getting this incredible honor. There should be a stage full of guys up here receiving this with me."
Hailed by teammate John Elway as the best left tackle he ever saw play the game, Zimmerman spent five years with the Broncos and was on the team that beat the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII.
Zimmerman said during his induction speech Saturday night that he had a lot of sleepless nights before games because of the responsibility of protecting Elway. Zimmerman thanked Elway, the only other Bronco in the Hall of Fame, and said "it was worth every sleepless night."
Zimmerman played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1986-92 before he was traded to the Broncos in 1993.
The 2008 Hall of Fame Class
In addition to Zimmerman ...
Art Monk and Darrell Green won two Super Bowls together, and the former Washington Redskins players are being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame together.
Monk won three Super Bowls with the Redskins and was the NFL's single-season receptions leader with 106. He also set a league mark by grabbing at least one pass in 164 consecutive games.
Green was a seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback and four-time All-Pro player. He is one of four defensive players being honored at the Hall of Fame today, joining linebacker Andre Tippett, cornerback Emmitt Thomas and defensive end Fred Dean.
Gary Zimmerman Stats
Tackle, 6-6, 294
1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-1997 Denver Broncos. 12 seasons, 184 games.
Selected in first round (third overall) of 1984 supplemental draft. ... Originally chosen by Giants, signing rights traded to Vikings for two second-round picks in 1986 draft. ... Spent two seasons with the L.A. Express of USFL before reporting to Vikings. ... After joining Vikings, began streak of 169 consecutive starts that lasted until 1996, when surgery sidelined him. ... Anchored offensive line that helped Vikings lead NFC in rushing, 1991. ... One of just handful of players chosen for two NFL all-decade teams, 1980s and 1990s. ... Earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors eight times. ... Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls.
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(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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