Chris Gilbert shattered NCAA rushing records for the Texas Longhorns, becoming the first player to record three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. The remarkable Chris Gilbert college football career set a new standard for consistency and excellence in the sport.
Football Bio
October 16, 1946 – Houston, Texas – University of Texas running back Chris Gilbert was born.
The website footballfoundation.org reports that in 29 games as a Longhorn, Gilbert ran for 3,231 yards, scored 28 TDs, and became the first player in recorded NCAA history to run for over 1,000 yards in three seasons!
Chris was All-Southwest Conference three straight years and a consensus All-American in 1968.
In two of his games against Baylor University, he rushed for over 200 yards in each game and also exceeded 200 yards in a 1968 game against TCU.
The National Football Foundation in 1973 selected Chris Gilbert to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
The New York Jets drafted him, but he never played a game for them. [National Football Foundation]
Chris Gilbert cemented his legacy as a trailblazing Longhorn, establishing a new standard for collegiate running backs before taking his rightful place in college football history.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the Longhorn Hall of Honor.
- First player in NCAA history to record three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons (1,080 yards in 1966, 1,019 yards in 1967, and 1,132 yards in 1968).
- Consensus First-Team All-American (1968).
- Three-time All-Southwest Conference (SWC) selection (1966, 1967, 1968).
- Finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1968.
- Drafted in the 5th round (132nd overall) of the 1969 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (officially enshrined in 1999).
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