Gary Hoffman

Gary Edward Hoffman (born September 28, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Santa Clara Broncos, earning first-team Little All-American honors. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 10th round of the 1984 NFL draft and appeared in one game for them that year before being released. He later played for the San Francisco 49ers in 1987 as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL strike.

Early life and college Hoffman was born on September 28, 1961, in Sacramento, California. He attended Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento and enrolled at Santa Clara University in 1979. Standing and weighing , he was the largest player on the team. As a sophomore in 1980, he was thrust into a starting role for their NCAA Division II playoff game against Northern Michigan due to eligibility issues with Hugh Lovelace, the team MVP. Hoffman then became starting offensive tackle for the Broncos in 1981. He was named team captain, serving three years in the position, and was the first underclassman ever to receive the honor at Santa Clara.

Hoffman helped Santa Clara to the Western Football Conference championship and a 6–4 record as a senior in 1983. He was named first-team All-Western Football Conference and first-team Little All-American by the Associated Press for his performance. The Packers decided to pay the cost of the drinks, in what The Peninsula Times Tribune called "one of the more unusual bonuses proffers by an NFL team". Hoffman was activated prior to the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings and appeared in the game as a backup.

Hoffman was released by the Packers on September 2, 1985. In September 1987, he was preparing to open a restaurant at Santa Clara when he was asked by the 49ers to play as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL strike. After signing on September 24, 1987, he appeared in three games as a backup before being released on October 19, at the end of the strike, which ended his professional career.