The Whitey Zimmerman Award is given out annually to an NFL Equipment Manager to recognize them and their staff for excellence in their field. It has been awarded since 1994 in honor of the late Whitey Zimmerman of the Atlanta Falcons. It is the only award of its kind for NFL Equipment Managers and it is a privilege for those that have been awarded it.
Dennis Ryan, longtime Minnesota Vikings Equipment Manager, recalls, "Whitey was someone everybody respected, young and experienced equipment managers as well as the coaches and players he touched. He earned this respect because of his knowledge of his craft. He was a friend to all of us in our fraternity and was always willing to help guide anyone who asked. Winning the award in 1996 was very touching. I considered Whitey a mentor and friend. It was very humbling to be associated with the Whitey Zimmerman name. It is certainly an honor. "
- 2022 - Brendan Burger, Los Angeles Rams
- 2021 - Bob Romanski, Las Vegas Raiders
- 2020 - All NFL Equipment Managers
- 2019 - No winner chosen because of COVID-19 pandemic
- 2018 - Joe Cimino, Miami Dolphins
- 2017 - Dennis Ryan, Minnesota Vikings
- 2016 - Greg Delimitros, Philadelphia Eagles and Allen Wright, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2015 - Steve Urbaniak, San Francisco 49ers
- 2014 - Mark Ahlemeier, Arizona Cardinals
- 2013 - Erik Kennedy, Seattle Seahawks and Brad Melland, Cleveland Browns
- 2012 - Joe Cimino, Miami Dolphins
- 2011 - Joe Skiba, New York Giants and Chris Valenti, Denver Broncos
- 2010 - Mike McCord, Dallas Cowboys
- 2009 - Bob Wick, San Diego Chargers
- 2008 - Tim O'Neill, Detroit Lions
- 2007 - Mark Ahlemeier, Arizona Cardinals
- 2006 - Erik Kennedy, Seattle Seahawks
- 2005 - Dan Simmons, New Orleans Saints
- 2004 - Rodgers Freyvogel, Pittsburgh Steelers and Drew Hampton, Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2003 - Ed Carroll, Baltimore Ravens
- 2002 - Bobby Monica, Cleveland Browns
- 2001 - Gordon "Red" Batty, Green Bay Packers
- 2000 - Tony Medlin, Chicago Bears
- 1999 - Mike Davidson, Kansas City Chiefs
- 1998 - Ed Wagner, New York Giants
- 1997 - Todd Hewitt, St. Louis Rams
- 1996 - Dennis Ryan, Minnesota Vikings
- 1995 - Dan Jaroshewich, Detroit Lions
- 1994 - Dan Simmons, New Orleans Saints