Zimmerman Third Steamwheeler to Make AFL
October 30, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â The third time is said to be the charm, and that may well be the case for Quad City Steamwheelers quarterback and af2 Offensive Player of the Year Tony Zimmerman. He is the third player from the Steamwheelers 2003 roster that has inked an Arena Football contract, signing with the Indiana Firebirds on Thursday. The terms of the contract have not been released.
"This is what I have worked for," Zimmerman said. "I came close to not playing football this past season and I am glad that I came back.
"It was a good payoff and I am happy that I made the right decision." Steamwheelers head coach Rich Ingold couldn't be any happier for his proven quarterback.
"We kind of figured that he would not be around in 2004 after the season that he had in 2003," Ingold said. "He has proven that he is one of the best in game.
"I think that Indiana is getting the best quarterback in the af2 and that he has a bright future.
"Zimmerman has everything that you want in an Arena Football quarterback." And it showed as Zimmerman had one the best season's in af2 history, breaking the single season record for touchdown passes in a season, throwing for 93 this past year. He completed 286-of-512 passes (55.9%) for 4,357 yards (272.3 per game).
Zimmerman, who started all 16 games for the Steamwheelers this season, was the first starting quarterback to return for a second season in the Steamwheelers short, four-year history.
Zimmerman threw for eight touchdowns in a game three times this season and threw for seven touchdowns three times as well. His biggest output for yardage came on April 11th in Huntsville, Ala. against the Tennessee Valley Vipers, when he threw for 370 yards.
Zimmerman also rushed 40 times for 62 yards, 17 of those going for touchdowns. Zimmerman accounted for 110 of the teams 131 touchdowns.
He rushed for four of those touchdowns on April 26th against the Bakersfield Blitz in Bakersfield, Calif., his best rushing game of the season.
Zimmerman was named Game MVP five times this season. Zimmerman also received looks from a half a dozen other teams around the league, but decided on Indiana because of the Firebirds intense efforts to sign him.
"I like (Firebirds head coach) Steve DeBerg, he has some good ideas and a good game plan," Zimmerman said of the rookie head coach. "The Firebirds really put a good package together and proved that they really wanted me.
"Hey, I never thought that I would be making the money that I am now going to make playing football," the Trafford, Penn. resident Zimmerman said jokingly. "But, it's nice because if my family wants to come to a game it is not that far of a drive from the Pittsburgh area." Zimmerman is also a graduate of Duquesne University where he earned All-American honors.
Ingold believes that it is the best fit for Zimmerman, as he will have a great chance at competing for the number one spot, something he might not of had with some of the other teams. As for Zimmemran's replacement, look to Ingold for that answer.
"Losing Zimmerman is going to be the hardest player to replace, but with our recruiting and proven track record as an offensive juggernaut, the quarterback position will be very healthy next season.
"Tony's return last year was critical for our teams success and also good for him as he clearly refined his skills as an Arena Football quarterback," Steamwheelers Managing Owner/Operator Jim Foster said. "He now has a real nice contract in the AFL and an opportunity to play well at the top level of our game.
"He was a good guy in the community as well as with his teammates and we are all very happy he has been rewarded." The other two Steamwheelers players who have already signed in the AFL are WR/DB Jeff Hewitt (Dallas Desperados) and OS Ira Gooch (New Orleans VooDoo).
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