Chris Gilbert, an American college football player for the Texas Longhorns, died on February 9, 2026, at age 79.
Born in Houston, Texas, in 1946, he ran for 3,231 yards in 29 games at the University of Texas from 1966 to 1968. He was the first player in NCAA history to record three 1,000-yard rushing seasons and was a three-time All-Southwest Conference selection and a consensus All-America in 1968.
Gilbert was selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft and played one professional season with the Fort Worth Braves of the Continental Football League.
Chris Gilbert (October 16, 1946 – February 9, 2026) was an American college football player for the Texas Longhorns. He was selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft. He played professionally for one season with the Fort Worth Braves of the Continental Football League in 1969.