RIP Chris Gilbert?

[Jbf19]

Saw online that Chris Gilbert has passed away.  Not sure if true.  Anyone else heard this?

[Atticus]

Which Chris Gilbert?

[Jbf19]

9 minutes ago, Atticus said:

Which Chris Gilbert?

60's Longhorn running back.  Like I said, not sure if it's true.  Was wondering if others had any information.  My dad used to tell me stories of those Texas teams.

[Bobby Burton]

Sadly, I am told this is true.

His magazine cover is one that hangs on my wall during every show. My dad’s original favorite Longhorn. 
 

[Jeff Howe]

I wasn't alive when Chris Gilbert was on the Forty, but those who played with him, coached him and watched him speak of his football career with a great deal of reverence.

[Midhorn75]

One of my earlier Longhorn Heroes. I was able to see him play multiple games during his career. Got to meet him at an East Texas Longhorn event at the Petroleum Club in Tyler. 🤘🏻

[THookem]

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/college/longhorns/article/chris-gilbert-diestexas-football-running-back-21342961.php

[THookem]

https://texaslonghorns.com/news/2026/2/9/football-longhorn-legend-chris-gilbert-passes-away

[BobbyGathright]

Chris and 1968 Team are the reasons I became a Texas Longhorn. 

 

 

[THookem]

https://texaslsn.org/chris-gilbert-by-larry-carlson/

[THookem]

 

[THookem]

 

[Jbf19]

2 hours ago, Bobby Burton said:

Sadly, I am told this is true.

His magazine cover is one that hangs on my wall during every show. My dad’s original favorite Longhorn. 
 

Your dad and my dad would get along!

[CJ Vogel]

Awful stuff.

[Midhorn75]

50 minutes ago, THookem said:

 

Who ever this guy with the beard is, doesn’t know a thing about what he’s talking about. He said that Gilbert was a fullback and looked like one. Wondered why he only played 3 years. In those days, there were freshman teams. You didn’t get to play varsity until your sophomore year. Gilbert was lean and fast, not the fullback he mentioned. I couldn’t even listen to the rest of what he said because he was so wrong in his first statements. 

[smokeyiii]

Chris had been battling dementia for many years. Sad news but he will be missed and remembered by many for years to come. A great Longhorn and mentor to so many young people at Camp Olympia over the years. Rest well and hook'em! 

[Hawk44]

I am fortunate enough to be old enough to remember watching Chris.  Very talented player on some very good teams.  

Back in the day, as a kid, we were able to get into the end zone to watch games while our parents enjoyed their season tickets elsewhere in the stadium.  We actually only had to pay $1 for those seats back in the 60's.  

[Burnt Orange Horn]

3 hours ago, CJ Vogel said:

Awful stuff.

Actually he was a great Texas player.  Not ever seeing him live is a real shame as he was electric even against great teams.  I attended that 1969 Cotton Bowl and afterwards I was convinced I had seen the best team in CFB in 1968.  I am glad to finally learn the team felt the same after that game.

The next two years, Ted Koy replaced Gilbert in the wishbone and each year Texas won National Championships.  Ted is still alive but sadly has never been featured on an OTF program.  A most regrettable oversight.  The rest of that backfield has passed on.

Bill Bradley is still alive and until recently still active in football.  Sadly it seems he also will never be on an OTF presentation.

Edited Monday at 10:23 PM by Burnt Orange Horn

[.45s]

I remember him.  Great player.

 

"A College Football Hall of Famer, Gilbert was a consensus All-American in 1968 and the first player in college football history to rush for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons."

[Waxahorn]

By the end of the 1968 season Texas was head and shoulders the best team in the nation. The backfield of Chris Gilbert, Ted Koy, Steve Worster and James Street were smoking with gas.

[3LegacyHorn]

Chris Gilbert was a symphony in motion. Electric. Great to watch and a huge asset 

[Okcool]

Met him by chance at Jester dormitory. No clue who he was till my roommate, who was walking on, told me he was a Texas legend. Classy man. RIP 

[Thailand T Sip]

10 hours ago, Hawk44 said:

I am fortunate enough to be old enough to remember watching Chris.  Very talented player on some very good teams.  

Back in the day, as a kid, we were able to get into the end zone to watch games while our parents enjoyed their season tickets elsewhere in the stadium.  We actually only had to pay $1 for those seats back in the 60's.  

Hahaha, that's exactly where I was sitting when I first remember him. 

[Thailand T Sip]

6 hours ago, Waxahorn said:

By the end of the 1968 season Texas was head and shoulders the best team in the nation. The backfield of Chris Gilbert, Ted Koy, Steve Worster and James Street were smoking with gas.

First wishbone backfield!

[Thailand T Sip]

On 2/9/2026 at 4:21 PM, Burnt Orange Horn said:

Actually he was a great Texas player.  Not ever seeing him live is a real shame as he was electric even against great teams.  I attended that 1969 Cotton Bowl and afterwards I was convinced I had seen the best team in CFB in 1968.  I am glad to finally learn the team felt the same after that game.

The next two years, Ted Koy replaced Gilbert in the wishbone and each year Texas won National Championships.  Ted is still alive but sadly has never been featured on an OTF program.  A most regrettable oversight.  The rest of that backfield has passed on.

Bill Bradley is still alive and until recently still active in football.  Sadly it seems he also will never be on an OTF presentation.

Jim Bertelsmann replaced Gilbert. Ted Koy was in the original 1968 wishbone backfield