Chris Zorich facts for kids
Zorich in 2006
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| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||||||||
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| Born: | March 13, 1969 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 282 lb (128 kg) | ||||||||||
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| High school: | Chicago Vocational | ||||||||||
| College: | Notre Dame | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1991 / Round: 2 / Pick: 49 | ||||||||||
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Christopher Robert Zorich, born on March 16, 1969, is a former American football star. He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Chris was a strong player for teams like the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins. Before turning pro, he played college football for the amazing Notre Dame Fighting Irish. After his playing days, he even became an athletic director at Chicago State University.
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Chris Zorich's Early Life
Chris Zorich grew up on the South Side of Chicago. He was an only child. His mother, Zora, raised him. Chris went to Chicago Vocational High School. He is also the nephew of famous actor Louis Zorich.
College Football Career
Chris Zorich received a scholarship to play college football. He joined the University of Notre Dame in 1987. He started as a linebacker. Soon, he moved to nose tackle.
Becoming an All-American
In his first game, Chris showed his talent. He had 1.5 sacks and 10 tackles against the University of Michigan. Notre Dame had an undefeated season that year. They even won the national championship! Chris earned All-American honors. He was third on the team in tackles.
During his junior year in 1989, Chris continued to shine. He was named a Consensus All-American. He was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award. This award goes to the best college football lineman. Chris also won the UPI Lineman of the Year award.
As a senior, Chris won the Lombardi Award. He was also named a unanimous All-American. In his final college game, he was the Defensive Most Valuable Player. This was at the 1991 Orange Bowl.
NFL Career Highlights
The Chicago Bears picked Chris Zorich in the 1991 NFL Draft. He was chosen in the second round. Chris played for the Bears from 1991 to 1997. He was a powerful defensive tackle.
Playing for the Bears and Redskins
In 1993, Chris was named an alternate for the 1993 Pro Bowl. This means he was one of the top players in the league. On December 27, 1992, he scored a touchdown. He returned a fumble during a game against the Dallas Cowboys. After his time with the Bears, Chris also played for the Washington Redskins in 1997.
Throughout his NFL career, Chris made 16.5 quarterback sacks. He also scored one touchdown.
Life After Football
After retiring from football, Chris Zorich continued his education. He earned a law degree from Notre Dame. He also started the Christopher Zorich Foundation in 1993. This foundation helps families who are struggling.
Awards and Recognition
Chris has received many awards for his good work. He won the USA WEEKEND's Most Caring Athlete Award. He also received the Jesse Owens Foundation Humanitarian Award. Chris often works as a motivational speaker. He inspires others with his story.
On May 9, 2007, Chris Zorich was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. This is a huge honor for college football players. He was one of the youngest players ever to be inducted. He is also only the third defensive lineman from Notre Dame to join the Hall of Fame.
In 2009, Chris was inducted into the FedEx Orange Bowl Hall of Fame. This was for his amazing performances in the 1990 and 1991 Orange Bowl games.
Chris Zorich lives in Chicago. He stays involved in sports. He served as the athletic director at Prairie State College from 2015 to 2018. From 2018 to 2019, he was the athletic director at Chicago State University.
Images for kids
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Chris Zorich in 2006
