Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Zombo the Epitome of What It Means to be a Chippewa
9/6/2023 2:17:00 PM | Football, General, Our Stories
Among the names of great football players to come through Central Michigan's program, only a few have achieved the top honor at the professional level of claiming a Super Bowl title.
One of these players is 2023 Marcy Weston CMU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Frank Zombo, who is set to join the prestigious hall on Friday, Sept. 29 along with four other individuals and one historic team.Â
Zombo made his mark on the program from 2006-09. Playing in 55 games, he made 39 starts without missing any game time due to injury. His teams saw monumental success, as he helped the Chippewas to three Mid-American Conference championships, including back-to-back titles in 2006-07, as well as another one in 2009. The three championships marked the most in a four-year span since the 1950s.
In addition to the league titles, Zombo helped the Chippewas to a bowl appearance in each of his four seasons, including three consecutive in the Motor City Bowl from 2006-08. His final season was capped off by a thrilling double-overtime win over Troy in the GMAC Bowl.Â
MARCY WESTON CMU ATHLETICSÂ HLL OF FAME CEREMONY
Date: Friday, Sept. 29, 2023
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: McGuirk Arena
Admission: Free and open to the public
While his teams were very successful, Zombo's individual achievements were equally as impressive. As a defensive end, he made his mark in the program record book, ranking third in career sacks (25 1/2) and sixth in tackles-for-loss (39). In 2008 he had nine sacks, which ranks fifth in program history.
Zombo's on-field production earned him First Team All-MAC honors in both 2008-09. As a student-athlete, he took his work in the classroom seriously as evidenced by a trio of Academic All-MAC honors.
Zombo signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2010 and was one of three undrafted rookies to make Green Bay's initial 53-man roster. The Packers won Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Zombo's rookie season, with Zombo posting five tackles including a sack.Â
Zombo's NFL career spanned nine seasons, three with Green Bay and six with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played in 107 games, starting 36 and registering 196 tackles including 12 1/2 sacks. He also forced five fumbles, recovered four fumbles, and made one interception.
Zombo epitomized what it means to be a Chippewa throughout his career. He was a key member of CMU's program at a time when it saw immense success and will forever be remembered among the top players in program history.Â