Coach Jim Zorn is a Class Act

Yes, Jim Zorn’s record as coach of the Washington Redskins is a disappointing 12-20. Yes, this year’s season was particularly painful, with Zorn’s Skins finishing 4-12. And, yes, Redskins fans and football observers alike have known that Jim Zorn’s days were numbered, that he was a lame duck coach waddling his way through his last season. We all knew that, and sure enough, the Redskins made it official, sacking Coach Zorn just as he got back to Redskin Park after a long plane ride back from San Diego.

Even though it’s understandable that Jim Zorn had to go, the fact is that the Washington Redskins are losing one of the classiest guys in professional sports (let alone the NFL). Despite the mistreatment, disrespect and humilitation Zorn endured from owner Daniel Snyder and former Redskin higher-up Vinny Cerrato, Coach Zorn kept the high road. As one columnist said, he “owned the high road.”

And even now, with his official ties to the team severed and marching with the army of the unemployed, Jim Zorn refuses to grind any axes or offer any public criticism of the Redskins organization. Instead, Zorn says he’s thankful. Interviewed by The Washington Post, Zorn declined to bad-mouth Snyder, new Redskins GM Bruce Allen or Allen’s predecessor Cerrato.

Zorn said: “I was hired to do a job. And it wasn’t my job to have a philosophical reflection on what that might be. I would choose not to answer that, but I think for the right reasons, not because I’d want to say something controversial. That’s not my place.  There’s a lot of opinions about that on every NFL team, but the truth of the matter this year is we were 4-12. Period.” (see Washington Post article “Zorn Says He’s Thankful” by Svrluga, Jan 5, 2010).

A solid answer and a great attitude from a Stand-Up Guy! Jim Zorn, we will miss you!