Jim Zorn

James Arthur Zorn (born May 10, 1953) is an American former professional football quarterback and coach who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He spent his first eight seasons from 1976 to 1984 with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was the franchise's original starting quarterback. During his Seahawks tenure, Zorn received one second-team All-Pro selection and led the team to their first consecutive winning seasons in franchise history. Zorn was a member of the Green Bay Packer and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his last two seasons. For his accomplishments in Seattle, he was inducted to the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor in 1991.

After retiring as a player, Zorn spent most of his coaching career as a quarterback coachs. He also served as the head coach of the Washington Redskins from 2008 to 2009.

Born in Whittier, California, Zorn attended Gahr High School in Cerritos, where he competed in football, baseball, basketball, track, and speed skating. He didn't start playing organized football until his sophomore season. The next year, Zorn broke his wrist after being put in at the end of a game to play quarterback. He became a starter as a senior in 1970 and graduated in 1971.

Zorn played at the junior college level at Cerritos College for two years. He was benched midway through his sophomore season in 1972 because the head coach didn't like his leadership style.

In 1973, he transferred to Cal Poly Pomona after accepting their half-scholarship offer. As a junior that season, he registered 2,367 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, receiving Little All-American, Little All-Coast, and Southern California College Division Player of the Year honors.

As a senior in 1974, Zorn's play was affected by coaching changes, posting 1,783 passing yards and six touchdowns. He finished his collegiate career with ten school records, 5,314 total yards, 4,150 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, 1,164 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.

Zorn also threw the javelin for the Broncos' track team.

Zorn was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 1975, the same year they had their famed Dirty Dozen draft. He was the Cowboys' last cut two days before the start of the 1975 season, to make room for running back Preston Pearson, who had been waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had a try-out with the Los Angeles Rams, but was not signed. The Seattle Seahawks signed him as a free agent in 1976, reuniting with Dick Mansperger, who was the Cowboys' director of player personnel the previous year.