Aaron Gibson

Last updated

Aaron Gibson
No. 71, 63, 78
Position: Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1977-09-27) September 27, 1977 (age 46)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:370 lb (168 kg)
Career information
High school: Indianapolis (IN) Decatur Central
College: Wisconsin
NFL draft: 1999  / round: 1 / pick: 27
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:38
Games started:34
Player stats at PFR

Aaron Gibson (born September 27, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears. He also was a member of the Austin Wranglers and Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football at the University of Wisconsin.

Contents

Early life

Gibson attended Decatur Central High School, where he lettered in football and track. He holds the record for heaviest NFL player ever, at 410 lbs, weighing over 350 lbs in high school. [1]

He was a two-way player. As a senior, he was a first-team All-state selection and was named as a Top 33 Pick by the Bloomington Herald-Times. As a defensive tackle, he had 8 fumble recoveries and 11 passes defensed.

College career

Gibson accepted a football scholarship from the University of Wisconsin. He didn't play in his freshman year because of failing to meet the requirements of Proposition 48. The next year, he was a reserve right tackle behind All-American Jerry Wunsch and was used primarily as a blocking tight end, after making his debut in the fifth game against Ohio State University. [2]

As a junior in 1997, he became the starter at right tackle. He spent two seasons blocking for Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, who set the NCAA Division I career rushing record (6,397 yards) in 1999.

As a senior in 1998, Gibson was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, after having been named to the first-teams of the Football Writers Association, American Football Coaches Association, and the Football News and the Walter Camp Foundation. He was also a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten Conference selection. He was the first player in school history to be named a finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy awards.

Professional career

Pre-draft

In the 1999 NFL Scouting Combine, Gibson ran the 40-yard dash in 5.3 seconds. [2] He was described as "a proto-type right tackle in the NFL," for having "a huge body with big legs and a gigantic chest". [2]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 7 in
(2.01 m)
386 lb
(175 kg)
35+12 in
(0.90 m)
10+12 in
(0.27 m)
5.23 s1.79 s3.02 s4.54 s7.99 s34.0 in
(0.86 m)
9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)
31 reps
All values from NFL Combine [3]

Detroit Lions

Gibson was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 27th overall pick in the 1999 National Football League Draft. [4] He was expected to be the starting right tackle as a rookie, but suffered a left shoulder injury in an April post-draft minicamp and was placed on the injured reserve list.

The following season, he started the first 10 games at right tackle, until suffering a right shoulder injury (torn posterior subluxation) and being placed on the injured reserve list on December 4. In 2001, he started five of the first six games of the season, before being waived on October 30. [5]

Dallas Cowboys

On October 31, 2001, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys but played only in the season finale. In 2002, Gibson had the distinction of becoming the NFL's first player to be officially listed at 400 pounds or 181 kilograms. [6] Gibson was limited by a knee injury in training camp and eventually released on September 18, 2002. [7]

Chicago Bears

On November 26, 2002, he was signed by the Chicago Bears as a free agent to replace an injured Marc Colombo. [8] In 2003, he had his most consistent professional season, starting at right tackle in all sixteen games with the Bears, after Colombo was lost for the year when he was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. In 2004, he played four games (three starts) and was declared inactive in 10. It would be the last season in which he made an appearance in a regular season NFL game.

Buffalo Bills

On April 5, 2006, Gibson signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent. He was cut on August 28.

Austin Wranglers (AFL)

On January 24, 2007, he was signed by the Austin Wranglers of the Arena Football League. [9] On April 4, he was placed on the injured reserve list. On May 5, he was activated. He played in eleven games and had 3 tackles for the season. On July 30, he was traded along with defensive lineman Rob Schroeder to the Utah Blaze in exchange for past considerations. [9]

Utah Blaze (AFL)

On October 12, 2007, he was traded to the Dallas Desperados in exchange for offensive lineman Devin Wyman and future considerations. [10]

Dallas Desperados (AFL)

On February 22, 2008, he was released by the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League, owned by Jerry Jones, who also owned the Dallas Cowboys, where Gibson had previously played. [11]

Cleveland Gladiators (AFL)

On March 13, 2008, he was signed by the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League. [12] On May 22, he was placed on the injured reserve list.

Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (AFL)

On March 22, 2010, he was assigned to the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings. [13] On August 9, he was suspended by the team. [13] He was not re-signed after the season.

Related Research Articles

Brian David Baldinger is a former professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, and Philadelphia Eagles. He covered Philadelphia Eagles preseason games as an analyst with Scott Graham for several years. He currently works for NFL Network, where he serves as an analyst for the television show NFL Total Access. He played college football at Duke University.

Alonzo Robert Spellman is an American former professional football player who was a defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and Detroit Lions. He also was a member of the Las Vegas Gladiators in the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football at Ohio State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Procter</span> American football player (born 1982)

Cory Procter is an American former professional football guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins. He played college football at the University of Montana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross Tucker</span> American football player and sports broadcaster (born 1979)

Ross Finch Tucker is an American former professional football offensive lineman and current sports broadcaster. Tucker was an All-Ivy League offensive lineman at Princeton University then played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Tucker retired as a player after suffering a neck injury during the 2007 season. He works for CBS Sports, the Philadelphia Eagles, Westwood One, Audacy, and hosts the Ross Tucker Football Podcast on the DraftKings Network.

Ralph Everette "Pete" Hunter is a former professional American football defensive back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks. He played college football at Virginia Union University.

John Christian Gesek Jr. is an American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Sacramento State Hornets and was selected in the 10th round of the 1987 NFL draft. Gesek won two Super Bowls with the Cowboys over the Buffalo Bills as a starting offensive lineman.

Derek Craig Kennard is an American former professional football player who was a guard and center in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Los Angeles Express in the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack.

Daleroy Andrew Stewart is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers. He was also a member of the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football at the University of Southern Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Frazier</span> American gridiron football player (born 1981)

Elance Antonio Frazier is an American former professional football cornerback in the National Football League for the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League and the Cologne Centurions in NFL Europe. He played college football at the West Virginia University.

Colston Weatherington is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football at Central Missouri State University.

Dialleo Burks Sr. is an American football coach and former arena football wide receiver and linebacker. He is the head football coach for Warner University, a position he has held since 2022. He played college football at Eastern Kentucky.

Jermaine Jones is an American former professional football defensive specialist in the Arena Football League (AFL) for the Dallas Desperados. He also was a member of the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL); and the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Northwestern State University.

Jorge Diaz is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Tampa Bay Storm and the Austin Wranglers in the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Henry Taylor is a former American football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) and Arena Football League (AFL). He was signed by the San Diego Chargers of the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1998. He played college football at South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyron Smith</span> American football player (born 1990)

Tyron Jerrar Smith is an American professional football offensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans where he won the Morris Trophy, recognizing the best offensive and defensive linemen on the West Coast, in 2010. Smith was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. In 13 seasons with the Cowboys, Smith was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a five-time All-Pro, and was named to the 2010s All-Decade Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La'el Collins</span> American football player (born 1993)

La'el Collins is an American professional football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at LSU, where he won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, recognizing the Southeastern Conference's (SEC) top offensive lineman, in 2014. Collins signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Mills</span> American football player (born 1990)

Jordan Michael Mills is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football at Louisiana Tech University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brent Urban</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1991)

Brent Urban is a Canadian professional football defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers.

Tommy Jermaine Brooks is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Dallas Desperados in the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football at the University of Arkansas.

Trysten Hill is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UCF.

References

  1. Frias, Carlos (October 29, 2006). "Pressure to grow burdened Gibson". Palm Beach Post.
  2. 1 2 3 "Big Cheese The Badgers Aaron Gibson Pruned His Weight To 371 And Blossomed Into A Bulldozer Of A Blocker Who Probably Will Be The First Lineman Taken In The NFL Draft". Sports Illustrated. April 1999. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  3. "Aaron Gibson, Combine Results, OT - Wisconsin". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  4. "1999 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  5. "Lions waive '99 top pick Gibson". October 31, 2001. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  6. "NFL lineman comes up big: no fat lies". July 28, 2002. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  7. "Cowboys release Gibson" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  8. "Big deal: Bears bring in Gibson" . Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Aaron Gibson". ArenaFan.com. 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  10. "Blaze trade Gibson to Dallas". ArenaFan.com. October 12, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  11. "Desperados release eight, re-sign Jones". ArenaFan.com. 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  12. "Gladiators Sign Aaron Gibson". ArenaFan.com. 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  13. 1 2 "Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings Team Roster". ArenaFan.com. 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2018.