Aaron Gibson facts for kids
| No. 71, 63, 78 | |||||
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| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | September 27, 1977 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
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| 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 | |||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||
Aaron Gibson (born September 27, 1977) is a former American football player. He played as an offensive tackle, a position on the offensive line that helps protect the quarterback. Aaron played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Chicago Bears. He also played in the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football at the University of Wisconsin.
Contents
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Aaron Gibson grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He went to Decatur Central High School. There, he was a star athlete in both football and track.
High School Days
In high school, Aaron was known for his large size. He weighed over 350 pounds. He even holds the record for being the heaviest NFL player ever, at 410 pounds. He played both offense and defense in high school. As a senior, he was named one of the best players in the state.
College Football Journey
Aaron received a football scholarship to play for the University of Wisconsin. He didn't play in his first year. The next year, he joined the team as a backup player. He mostly helped block for his teammates.
Becoming an All-American
In 1997, Aaron became a full-time starter at right tackle. He helped block for Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne. Dayne set a huge rushing record in college football. In 1998, Aaron was recognized as one of the best college players in the country. He was named a first-team All-American. He was also a top player in the Big Ten Conference. Aaron was even a finalist for two major awards, the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy.
Professional Football Career
Before joining the NFL, Aaron showed off his skills at the 1999 NFL Scouting Combine. He was described as a "proto-type right tackle" because of his large and strong build.
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand size | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-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+1⁄2 in (0.90 m) |
10+1⁄2 in (0.27 m) |
5.23 s | 1.79 s | 3.02 s | 4.54 s | 7.99 s | 34.0 in (0.86 m) |
9 ft 11 in (3.02 m) |
31 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine | ||||||||||||
Getting Drafted into the NFL
The Detroit Lions picked Aaron Gibson as the 27th player in the 1999 National Football League Draft. He was expected to be a starter right away. However, he got a shoulder injury early on. This meant he couldn't play in his first season.
Playing for NFL Teams
Aaron played for several teams during his NFL career. He faced some challenges, including injuries, but he showed his strength and skill.
Detroit Lions Years
In his second season with the Lions, Aaron started many games. But he got another shoulder injury and missed the end of the season. In 2001, he played in a few more games before leaving the team.
Time with the Dallas Cowboys
In late 2001, Aaron joined the Dallas Cowboys. In 2002, he became the first NFL player officially listed at 400 pounds. He dealt with a knee injury during this time and was later released by the Cowboys.
Chicago Bears Experience
Aaron signed with the Chicago Bears in late 2002. In 2003, he had his best NFL season. He started all sixteen games for the Bears as their right tackle. This was his most consistent time in the league. In 2004, he played in a few more games. This was his last season playing in a regular NFL game.
Arena Football League Adventures
After his time in the NFL, Aaron played in the Arena Football League (AFL). He joined the Austin Wranglers in 2007. He played in eleven games for them. Later, he was traded to the Utah Blaze. He also played for the Dallas Desperados and the Cleveland Gladiators in 2008. His last team was the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings in 2010.
