Peppi Zellner

American football player (born 1975)

Hunndens Guiseppi "Peppi" Zellner (born March 14, 1975) is a former American football player in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at Fort Valley State University.

Zellner was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (132nd overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft, after impressing in the scouting combine, recording the second fastest 40 yard dash time, first in the broad jump and first in the 20 yard dash among defensive linemen. As a rookie, he had 10 special teams tackles (tied for sixth on the team). Against the Atlanta Falcons, he posted his first career sack, while adding a quarterback pressure and 2 tackles. In 2000, he played in 12 games, registering 13 special teams tackles (second on the team), 16 defensive tackles, 2 sacks and 3 quarterback pressures. He missed the last 4 games, after being placed on the injured reserve list with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament he suffered during a practice. In 2001, a season ending back injury to Ebenezer Ekuban, allowed him to start 15 games at right defensive end, setting career highs with 46 tackles, 3 sacks (tied for fourth on the team) and 22 quarterback pressures (second on the team). The next year, he only started 2 games and registered 29 tackles. He wasn't re signed at the end of the season.

On May 11, 2003, he was signed as a free agent by the Washington Redskins to a one year contract. He recorded 14 tackles and one sack as a backup during the season.

On August 17, 2004, he signed with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent. On August 31, he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals along with Troy Hambrick, in exchange for a sixth round draft choice (#182 Cedric Houston) in the 2005 NFL Draft.

In 2004, Zellner replaced an injured Fred Wakefield, playing in all 16 games (14 starts), while registering 35 tackles and 2 sacks. On March 10, 2005, he was re signed. He was released on August 29, 2005.

In 2002, Zellner was charged with drug possession, however, the charges were later dropped in 2003. He is a cousin of safety Tra Battle who also played for the Dallas Cowboys.