Today, we gather to celebrate the birthday of one of the most notable players in Seattle Seahawks history: Jim Zorn, Seattle’s first starting quarterback, is 72.
Zorn was one of the Seahawks’ biggest names during the team’s early years, starting under center for all but four games between 1976 and 1980. With his superb scrambling ability, Zorn put on a show for the Seattle fans, tallying 1,494 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground throughout his time as a Seahawk.
In 1978, Zorn had a breakout year, attaining new career highs in passing yards (3,283), completion percentage (56.0), rushing yards (290), and rushing touchdowns (6). At season’s end, Zorn was named a second team All-Pro and finished third in voting for both Offensive Player of the Year and MVP. This would also be Seattle’s best season yet, as the team finished 9-7 for the first time, falling one game shy of a playoff berth.
Zorn’s success continued into 1979, ending the year with 279 rushing yards and earning new career bests in completions (285), passing yards (3,661), and passing touchdowns (20); for his efforts, Zorn finished fourth in OPOY voting. For the second consecutive season, the Seahawks finished one game out of a playoff spot at 9-7.
Over the next three years, Zorn started 36 games for Seattle, obtaining a career-best 7.5 rushing yards per attempt in the strike-shortened 1982 campaign. This would ultimately be the beginning of the end of Zorn’s time as the Seahawks’ starter, however.
Sitting at 4-4 halfway through 1983, head coach Chuck Knox benched Zorn in favor of the younger Dave Krieg. With Krieg under center, Seattle ended the year 9-7 and reached the postseason for the first time, going all the way to the AFC Championship Game. Zorn remained with the Seahawks as the team’s second-string QB in 1984, with Krieg starting all 16 games.
Following three more seasons as a backup, Zorn retired from professional football in 1987. He was not out of the game for long, though, serving as an assistant coach for Boise State, Utah State, and the University of Minnesota between 1988 and 1996. During this time, Zorn was inducted into Seattle’s Ring of Honor in 1991, becoming just the second player to be named to the Ring of Honor after wide receiver Steve Largent in 1989.
Zorn went back to Seattle as an offensive assistant in 1997, working under head coach Dennis Erickson. After serving as the Detroit Lions’ quarterbacks coach for three years, Zorn returned to the Seahawks in 2001, serving on Mike Holmgren’s staff in the same capacity through 2007. Under Zorn’s direction, Matt Hasselbeck earned three Pro Bowl nominations (2003, 2005, 2007) and attained a career-high 3,966 passing yards in 2007, a franchise record at the time.
In 2008, Zorn was named the head coach of the team now known as the Washington Commanders, defeating his former team 20-17 in Seattle during Week 12; he was inducted into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony that same day. Zorn coached in D.C. for one more year, being fired following a 4-12 showing in 2009.
After working as a quarterbacks coach for the Ravens and Chiefs between 2010 and 2012, Zorn largely stepped away from football until 2020. That year, Zorn was the head coach and general manager of the XFL’s Seattle Dragons, who played their home games at Lumen Field. The Dragons finished the year 1-4, with the season prematurely ending halfway through as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For all of his contributions both on the field and off of it, Zorn is one of the most important figures in the history of Seattle football. Fans from the Seahawks’ early years will remember his ability to scramble outside of the pocket, treating them to a fun show during the team’s formative seasons. His mark on the franchise and Seattle sports as a whole is still remembered fondly to this day.
Zorn remains high up on Seattle’s career leaderboards, as he is fourth in both passing yards (20,122) and passing TDs (107). In addition, Zorn still ranks well among Seahawks QBs in rushing attempts (308), rushing yards (1,491), and rushing touchdowns (17), second to Russell Wilson in all three categories.
Happy Birthday, Jim! Let’s watch some Jim Zorn highlights. What are your favorite memories of him as quarterback?