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Gary Zimmerman's at a loss for words

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 1, 2008 at 2:39 p.m.
Updated August 1, 2008 at 9:53 p.m.

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A snort. A grab of the collar. And a simple "thanks."

That's what former Broncos offensive lineman Mark Schlereth has said he expected Gary Zimmerman's speech to be at enshrinement ceremonies today for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But Zimmerman would like folks to know it has been a little tougher than that.

"The last two weeks have been stressful, or really since the start of July, because that's when the deadlines started ticking," Zimmerman said Friday. "I've been working and working on the speech, but just the anticipation of it all, and really not knowing how the Hall of Famers will accept you."

Zimmerman, who is one of six former players who will be enshrined today, has started to find out exactly how the other Hall of Famers will accept him. Welcomed with open arms, he has been rubbing shoulders with the league's all-time greats at various events. That includes the fabled Nitschke luncheon - it's where the Hall of Famers formally welcome the new class - and being presented with his gold Hall of Fame coat at an event Friday night in downtown Canton.

Zimmerman will be in the Hall of Fame parade this morning, with the enshrinement ceremonies later in the day.

"My family, they've just been so excited," said Zimmerman, who lives in Bend, Ore., before adding with a laugh, "They're coming for a party; they don't have much pressure on them. They get the best of both worlds; they don't have to get up and embarrass themselves."

Zimmerman said he has spent weeks trying to decide what he will say when he steps to the podium, offering that his biggest fear was forgetting to mention someone who had helped him achieve the honor.

Often, Hall of Famers talk about the "Billy Shaw rule" in reference to their speeches. Shaw, a former Buffalo Bills guard, gave a heartfelt presentation upon his enshrinement in 1999 but forgot to mention his wife because he said he gotten so nervous.

"So it's a little different than getting ready for a game and the butterflies you feel in that situation; I know it's going to be with me forever, so I want to do a good job," Zimmerman said.

Comments

  • August 2, 2008

    7:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Kevin27 writes:

    Just watched Zimmerman's induction speech, he did a great job. He spoke a little longer than I expected but was still brief in comparison to the other enshrinees. It was a little embarrasing to see only but a few Broncos fans in the audience. But I wasn't there either so who am I to complain. Thanks for the superior play on the field. Congratulations Zimm!!!