Claude “Hoot” Andrew Gibson, an American football player and coach, died on January 17, 2026.
He was 87. Gibson was a defensive back and kick returner who played college football for the NC State Wolfpack before competing professionally in the American Football League for the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders.
Born in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, he attended Lee H. Edwards High School in Asheville and went on to play at NC State, where he starred on the freshman team and contributed as a defensive back, receiver, return man and halfback.
Claude “Hoot” Andrew Gibson (May 26, 1938 – January 17, 2026) was an American football player and coach. A defensive back and kick returner, he played college football for the NC State Wolfpack before playing professionally in the American Football League (AFL) for the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders.