Gale Gilbert is a former American football quarterback who played for several teams during his career. He was born on December 20, 1961, in Red Bluff, California, and attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he played college football for the California Golden Bears.
Gilbert began his professional career in 1985 when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks. He spent two seasons with the Seahawks, serving as a backup quarterback and playing in a few games. In 1987, he was traded to the Buffalo Bills, where he played for four seasons.
During his time with the Bills, Gilbert was primarily a backup quarterback behind Jim Kelly. However, he did start a few games when Kelly was injured, and he even played in Super Bowl XXV in 1991, although he did not see any action in the game. Gilbert was known for his strong arm and his ability to make quick decisions on the field.
After leaving the Bills in 1991, Gilbert played for several other teams, including the San Diego Chargers, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Detroit Lions. He was primarily a backup quarterback during this time, although he did start a few games for the Chargers and the Colts.
Gilbert's career came to an end in 1996 when he was released by the Lions. He finished his career with 4,357 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. While he was never a star player, Gilbert was a reliable backup quarterback who was respected by his teammates and coaches.
After retiring from football, Gilbert went on to work as a high school football coach in California. He also worked as a color commentator for college football games on television.
Overall, Gale Gilbert had a solid career as a backup quarterback in the NFL. While he never achieved the same level of success as some of his contemporaries, he was a valuable player who contributed to several teams during his time in the league.
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