Gary Zimmerman Belongs in the Hall of Fame

Zimmerman had Elway’s back for 5 of Elway’s 6 final years. Photo Courtesy

UPDATE: Zimmerman was elected into the 2008 Class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, approximately 6 months after the writing of this article. Congratulations Gary! (Full Story).

Gary Wayne Zimmerman was born on December 13, 1961, in Fullerton, California. He was a rare first round selection in the 1984 Supplemental Draft for the New York Giants, where he was quickly traded to the Minnesota Vikings after a stint in the USFL. There he played the majority of his career. But when Zimmerman moved to Denver during the 1994 offseason, he may not have known he would be remembered as a Bronco for the rest of his career.

In college, Zimmerman played very well at tackle after moving from inside linebacker and earned first-team All-PAC-10 honors in his senior year. He was also awarded with second-team Sporting News honors and third-team Associated Press honors in 1983 at Oregon.

Zimmerman played several very successful years with the Minnesota Vikings in the late 1980’s, earning him All-Decade honors. He continued this success through the early Nineties as the anchor to some of the best offenses in the NFL during those time periods. In the final week of the 1993 preseason, Zimmerman was traded to the Broncos, where he would be given what seemed to be a better shot at winning a championship with one of the greatest ever to play the game, John Elway.

In Denver, Zimmerman continued his success, ultimately completing a streak of 169 non-strike games before the hurt shoulder he played with all season in 1996 got the better of him, requiring surgery. In 1997, Zimmerman was contemplating retirement when Mr. Elway himself took the 300-plus mile trek to recruit the protector of his blindside. After missing the first two games that year, Zimmerman played the next four at right tackle in his return to the team, then moved back over to his left tackle spot and anchored the line that would win Denver its first Super Bowl.

Zimmerman retired a Bronco and was honored as one, being inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 2003.

Get Him in the Hall

Again, there really is no explanation behind Zimmerman not already being a Hall of Famer. He has been a finalist several times, including 2007, but the only explanation seems to be “Well, he was a Bronco.” Seriously! I don’t have a clue!

Zimmerman was simply a fierce blocker, both in running and passing, and made 7 Pro Bowls in the process. Elected to both the 1980’s and 1990’s All-Decade teams (1 of 10 players with such a distinction), Zimm retired a winner with his first Super Bowl ring and deserves every bit of praise he has ever earned. In 2003, he was inducted into the Denver Ring of Fame, to be forever remembered as a member of Mile High.

Considering those already enshrined, one really begins to wonder why Zimmerman is not included in the Hall. In the Class of 2001, Jackie Slater of the Rams was immortalized with a bust in Canton – while Zimm didn’t enjoy quite the same longevity as Slater (20 years compared to Zimm’s 13), they were elected to the same number of Pro Bowls. Slater played the majority of his career in the 1980’s, spanning the entire decade, yet was not elected as an All-Decade team member. Bob St. Clair played OT for the 49ers in the 50’s and 60’s – his career was also cut short, and this team captain deservedly entered Canton in 1990 with five Pro Bowl appearances. I would never question their right to be in Canton – I’m simply asking the committee: “If them, why not Gary Zimmerman?”.

Looking back over 80 years of National Football League history, few players have made such an impact to be elected to represent two different decades as the best their time period represents. Gary Zimmerman has been so honored by the same Hall of Fame Committee who has unjustly kept him from the hallowed halls of Canton, Ohio. His durability led him to play in a record consecutive number of games, and he finished his career as a Super Bowl champion. I hope the Hall of Fame panelists can do him justice this year, and elect a 2nd Bronco into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.