Aaron Gibson

Aaron Gibson (born September 27, 1977) is a former American football 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. He played college football at the University of Wisconsin.

Aaron Gibson
No. 71, 63, 78
Position:Offensive Tackle
Personal information
Born: (1977-09-27) September 27, 1977
Indianapolis, Indiana
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:410 lb (186 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 NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

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 440 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 (6,397yards) 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 5.03 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
HeightWeight40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 7 in
(2.01 m)		 386 lb
(175 kg)		 5.03 s1.79 s3.02 s4.54 s7.99 s24 in
(0.61 m)		9 ft 8 in
(2.95 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. 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 next year, 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.[4]

Dallas Cowboys

On October 31, 2001, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys and only played in the season finale. In 2002, Gibson had the distinction of becoming the NFL's first player to be officially listed at 400-pounds.[5] He was limited with a knee injury in training camp and was eventually released on September 18, 2002.[6]

Chicago Bears

On November 26, 2002, he was signed by the Chicago Bears as a free agent to replace an injured Marc Colombo.[7] In 2003, he had his most consistent professional season, starting at right tackle in all sixteen games with the Chicago 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.[8] On April 4, he was placed on the injured reserve list. On May 5, he was activated. He played in 11 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.[8]

Utah Blaze (AFL)

On October 12, 2007, he was traded to the Dallas Desperados in exchange for offensive lineman Devin Wyman and future considerations.[9]

Dallas Desperados (AFL)

On February 22, 2008, he was released by the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League, who were owned by Jerry Jones, who also owned the Dallas Cowboys, who Gibson played before.[10]

Cleveland Gladiators (AFL)

On March 13, 2008, he was signed by the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League.[11] 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.[12] On August 9, he was suspended by the team.[12] He wasn't re-signed after the season.

References
  1. Frias, Carlos (October 29, 2006). "Pressure to grow burdened Gibson". Palm Beach Post.
  2. "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, DS #4 OT, Wisconsin". NFL Draft Scout Player Profile. September 21, 2006. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  4. "Lions waive '99 top pick Gibson". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  5. "NFL lineman comes up big: no fat lies". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  6. "Cowboys release Gibson". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  7. "Big deal: Bears bring in Gibson". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  8. "Aaron Gibson". ArenaFan.com. 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  9. "Blaze trade Gibson to Dallas". ArenaFan.com. October 12, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  10. "Desperados release eight, re-sign Jones". ArenaFan.com. 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  11. "Gladiators Sign Aaron Gibson". ArenaFan.com. 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  12. "Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings Team Roster". ArenaFan.com. 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
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