Aaron Gibson

Gibson attended Decatur Central High School, where he lettered in football and track. He weighed over 350 lbs in high school. He was a two-way player. As a senior, he was a first-team All-state selection and was named as a Top 33 Pick by the Bloomington Herald-Times. As a defensive tackle, he had 8 fumble recoveries and 11 passes defensed. ==College career==

Gibson accepted a football scholarship from the University of Wisconsin. He didn't play in his freshman year because of failing to meet the requirements of Proposition 48. The next year, he was a reserve right tackle behind All-American Jerry Wunsch and was used primarily as a blocking tight end, after making his debut in the fifth game against Ohio State University. As a junior in 1997, he became the starter at right tackle. He spent two seasons blocking for Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, who set the NCAA Division I career rushing record (6,397 yards) in 1999. As a senior in 1998, Gibson was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, after having been named to the first-teams of the Football Writers Association, American Football Coaches Association, and the Football News and the Walter Camp Foundation. He was also a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten Conference selection. He was the first player in school history to be named a finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy awards. ==Professional career==

Pre-draft In the 1999 NFL Scouting Combine, Gibson ran the 40-yard dash in 5.3 seconds. He was described as "a proto-type right tackle in the NFL," for having "a huge body with big legs and a gigantic chest". He was expected to be the starting right tackle as a rookie, but suffered a left shoulder injury in an April post-draft minicamp and was placed on the injured reserve list. The following season, he started the first 10 games at right tackle, until suffering a right shoulder injury (torn posterior subluxation) and being placed on the injured reserve list on December 4. In 2001, he started five of the first six games of the season, before being waived on October 30. Dallas Cowboys On October 31, 2001, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys but played only in the season finale. In 2002, Gibson had the distinction of becoming the NFL's first player to be officially listed at . Gibson was limited by a knee injury in training camp and eventually released on September 18, 2002. He holds the record for heaviest NFL player ever. In 2003, he had his most consistent professional season, starting at right tackle in all sixteen games with the Bears, after Colombo was lost for the year when he was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. In 2004, he played four games (three starts) and was declared inactive in 10. It would be the last season in which he made an appearance in a regular season NFL game. Buffalo Bills On April 5, 2006, Gibson signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent. He was cut on August 28. Austin Wranglers On January 24, 2007, he was signed by the Austin Wranglers of the Arena Football League. On April 4, he was placed on the injured reserve list. On May 5, he was activated. He played in eleven games and had 3 tackles for the season. On February 22, 2008, Gibson was released by the Desperados, owned by Jerry Jones, who also owned the Dallas Cowboys, where Gibson had previously played. Cleveland Gladiators On March 13, 2008, he was signed by the Cleveland Gladiators of the AFL. On May 22, he was placed on the injured reserve list. Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings On March 22, 2010, he was assigned to the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings of the AFL. On August 9, he was suspended by the team. He was not re-signed after the season. ==References==