Chris Gilbert, the renowned former running back for the Texas Longhorns, has passed away at the age of 79. A celebrated member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Gilbert made his mark on the sport during his college career from 1966 to 1968.
During his time with the Longhorns, he became the first running back in college football history to rush for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. His exceptional performance earned him All-Southwest Conference honors three times, and in 1968, he was named a consensus All-American. That same year, he finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting, solidifying his legacy in college football.
The Texas football program expressed their condolences on social media, stating, “We lost a great Longhorn with the passing of NFF College Football Hall of Fame member Chris Gilbert. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and teammates.”
Throughout his college career, Gilbert amassed a total of 3,231 rushing yards and scored 28 touchdowns, placing him sixth in the history of Longhorns rushing yards.
After his successful college stint, Gilbert was selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 1969 NFL Draft, but he never played in an NFL game. Following his football career, he transitioned into the business world, becoming an investor and executive in Houston.
In addition to his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, Gilbert is honored in the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor and the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame, further underscoring his significant impact on the game.
