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Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 2:43 PM
To: beckys@beckys-place.com
Subject: Jim Zorn

I played with Jim at Cerritos College, I was a receiver so we became friends. The coach told the QB's that they should carry a ball around with them, Jimmy did, and he was always spinning it on his fingers. At Cerritos Jimmy didn't had to trade being 1st string with another lefty. Jim would ask me if I could after practice and run and catch some. Those were the fun days but Jim was worried where he would go after Cerritos.

We went our separate ways after that and I haven't seen him since, except on TV :)

Les Knight

 
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Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 2:59 PM
To: beckys@beckys-place.com
Subject: Jim Zorn photos

To whom it may concern,
I went to college with Jim Zorn (Cerritos College) and I had the biggest crush on him. I used to "hang-out" while he practised each day. I took the attached photos during one of those afternoon sessions. I think these were taken the day that he taught me to throw a football (I cherish that fact and brag about it any time I can). It would have been in 1973 or 1974. I am sending these photos to you in case you'd be interested in adding them to the Jim Zorn page.
I "used to have" an entire scrapbook on Jim Zorn with newspaper clippings of all of his games and following career, but a few years ago I decided I should grow up and I disposed of my old memorabilia. Ugh!! I can't tell you how many times I have kicked myself for that one. Also, when Jim was playing for Cerritos College there was another Incredible player by the name of "John Nanoski" whom I also followed in my scrapbook. I believe that John was a defensive cornerback and he held a record for interceptions. I've often wondered whatever became of him. He's obviously not the soccer-famous John Nanoski, but he could have been related. Maybe someone from the Cerritos area could read this and respond.
Doreen Hall
P.S. Because of Jim Zorn I was a die-hard Seahawks fan.

Norm Evans

“I think that this team is characterized by quality of life that some of the players live. Like salt on your hamburger. It flavors the whole attitude of the team. I’m talking about Steve Largent, Jim Zorn, Ron Coder, Sherman Smith, Geoff Reece, Doug Long, and others."

From: Ken Hughey
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 7:18 PM
Subject: Jim Zorn

Greetings,
Rob Rishmawy is a friend of mine so he will not mind a correction. Jim Zorn graduated from high school in 1971 – a year ahead of me. Sorry, Rob.
Ken Hughey

From: Lgpic@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2006 2:38 AM
Subject: zorn the man

my favorite memory of Jim is holding my than 18 month old son at a Tacoma Mall NFL store, almost 25 years ago, my son was wearing a Seahawk jacket, Jim was making an appearance to promote the expansion team and signing photos, I became a fan and season ticket holder.

From: Steve Heacox
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 11:53 PM
Subject: Old Gahr High School buddy

I remember running cross country with Jim back in 1968 when Jim was a freshman. I would like to get in touch with Jim if at all possible. It has been about 5 or 6 years since I heard from him and he was still with Detroit at the time.

Regards,
Steve Heacox
Class of ‘69

From: Karen Brown
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 9:20 PM
Subject: Jim Zorn

I just wanted to say that I admire Jim and have always liked him and that he looks just as good today as he did 25 or so years ago. Keep up the good work.

From: Michael Pierce
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2005 3:43 PM
Subject: Jim Zorn

Hi. Nice page. I went to Gahr and graduated in 1974. I remember "spring training" of 1971 before Jim graduated. I had never "caught" a left hander; let alone someone that could throw a "frozen rope".

I went out 10 yards, turned around, put my hands up, and my lip split. That boy could throw!

Several years later I was attending college in Arizona and saw him on Monday night football. I had no idea. I now live in Michigan and I noticed when he coached QBs for the Lion's and specifically Scott Mitchel. Good going to Mr. Zorn!!!

From: John Schilling
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 11:59 AM

Jim Zorn actually graduated from Gahr High School in 1971. Played at Cerritos College for the first two years. Was invited to try out for Dallas Cowboys played in the pre season and threw at least one touchdown. That game was on national TV. He was released from Dallas and actually made it onto the Seahawks in the expansion year. As a note he only played Varsity football as a senior in High School but was a little all American at Cal Poly Pomona.

From: Renfros
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 11:54 PM

i believe the year was 1977. my friends parents took us to the seahawks training camp. my friend and i were very impressed by mr.zorn. you could tell that his teammates liked and respected him. after practice the team signed autographs. mr. zorn not only gave us an autograph, but gave my friend his wristbands. he saw my look of dissapointment and told me to wait a minute and he would be right back. he ran into the training facility and came back with a pair of wristbands for me! that made quite an impression on a couple of ten year old boys. he was always my favorite player after that day.

Warren Henrickson, April 2003

In 1980 I was in U.S. Air Force basic training and having a hard time adjusting to military life. While there my mother who worked for a meat company had the opportunity to meet Jim who was working on a project for the United Way. She explained to Jim that I was having a tough time. To my mom's surprise Jim asked for my basic training address and promised to send me a letter. After receiving the news by phone that Jim Zorn (who was my hero) was sending me a letter I told everyone in my squadron. No one believed me, BUT a few days letter I got the letter, and it was not just a short note, but a long encouraging letter, telling me to stay strong, and that I would make it. He shared his faith with me. A faith we have in common and I made it through not just basic training but nearly 11 years of military service, which included the gulf war. Now I serve as a pastor full time and would like to someday thank Jim personally. The world needs more people like Jim Zorn, whose character exceeds even his on the field accomplishments.

Cindy Wiley, who says Jim Zorn "was the best quarterback the Seahawks ever had", writes...

Jim Zorn was a left handed quarterback who went to college at Cal. Poly in Pomona, CA. He first signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an unrestricted free agent and was with them during the 1975 season but never played. He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 1976. As a rookie, he set an all-time football record for passing yardage by throwing for 2571 yards. This broke Fran Tarkenton's record which was set in 1961...He ended his career with 1494 rushing yards and 20,122 yards through the air. Jim and Steve Largent were best friends and roomed together on road games during Jim's entire career with the Seahawks.

Gary Halsey, Aug 2002

I recall one of the early games when the Seahawks were ahead by 2 points with 14 seconds left in the game. It was 4th and long inside the 20 yard line. If the Hawks punted, 1 play and a field goal would give them another in the loss column. Zorn took the snap, tucked the ball away and proceeded to elude tacklers till the final whistle blew. WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO WIN THE GAME !!!!!!

Dudley Matthew

When I was about five years old, I was supposed to meet Jim Zorn at the Bremerton JC Pennys, but he was hurt, so we had to settle for Dr. Dan Dornick. In January 1998, at the age of 25, awaiting my flight at Sea-Tac, on my way to Bahrain (a sovern nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia) in support of Operation Southern Watch, I met Jim Zorn, who was very gracious when I approached him to question his identity, he lit up with the same smile he met Largent with after every touchdown and I knew immediately he was Jim Zorn. I felt like I was a kid again, I even got his autograph. I did not think anything of it, but Jim Zorn was awaiting a flight to Detroit, a few days later it was announced he was hired by the Detroit Lions as the quarterbacks coach. It is great to see Charlie Batch proudly wearing number 10 knowing that with every touch of the ball he gets, it is like desa vue.

Rob Rishmawy, Honolulu, HI

Jim Zorn attended high school at Richard Gahr High School in Cerritos Calif and graduated in 1972. Thought you might want to know.

From: Seattlefreak8@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 11:35 PM
Subject: JIM ZORN

My name is Ed and I live in baltimore md., have for about to be 38 years. When I was 8 years old my father really got me into sports ad obviously he pushed me towards the Orioles and the Colts. For me though there were two teams that were just getting started and since I was just at my sports beginnings I chose to root for them(mariners and seahawks). My two favorite athletes as a child were Bruce Bochte and Jim Zorn. It just so happened that Zorns birthday,which is today, was May 10th and mine is May 17th.Every year as a child I would send Jim a birthday card from his buddy Ed in Baltimore. Every year Jim would send me a letter in return and after a few years even a card for my birthday.As a child that meant the world to me and honestly still makes me feel good today. Jim was a great and exciting qb, is doing a phenomenal job as qb coach, but best of all he is a great human being. Soon he will probably be the next coach of the Seahawks and that will be an awesome day, but today is my hero's birthday. So to you Jim Zorn I and all your fans say,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM!!!!!