Gamble played cornerback, wide receiver, and kick returner at Ohio State. He was an integral part of the OSU 2002 national championship team, which went 14–0. Gamble played all three ways at Ohio State (offense, defense and special teams), earning 1st Team All-Big Ten honors, and 3rd Team All-America honors for cornerback. Gamble had four interceptions for the 2002 season, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
In 38 career games, he started 18 times on defense and 12 times on offense (started on both offense and defense in five contests in 2002). He recorded 65 tackles (51 solo) with three stops behind the line of scrimmage, seven interceptions and 21 pass deflections. He also caught 40 passes for 609 yards (15.2 avg.), rushed six times for 68 yards (11.3 avg.) with a touchdown, returned 60 punts for 467 yards (7.8 avg.) and had 18 kickoff returns for 384 yards (21.3 avg.).[citation needed]
Gamble majored in sports and leisure studies while at Ohio State.
Professional career
Pre-draft
On February 25, 2004, he attended the annual NFL Scouting Combine, but did not perform and combine or positional drills due to an ankle injury. On March 12, 2004, Gamble fully participated in Ohio State's Pro Day and performed all of the combined drills and positional drills. On April 5, 2004, he performed at another workout at Ohio State, establishing he had fully recovered from his ankle injury. He athleticism and speed were considered his top features with the main concern persistently listed as his lack of experience and rawness due to being a junior and playing as a wide receiver for the majority of his freshman year. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ranked Gamble as the third best cornerback prospect in the draft.[1] Former Dallas Cowboys executive Gil Brandt and ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. also ranked him as the third best cornerback prospect eligible for the draft.[2] NFL draft analysts and scouts unanimously projected Gamble to be a mid-first round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.[3]
The Carolina Panthers selected Gamble in the first round (28th overall) in the 2004 NFL draft. The Panthers originally held the 31st overall pick, but began assessing the possibility of selecting Gamble when he continued to go unselected after the mid-first round concluded. Upon reviewing the teams precedding them, the Panthers fully expected the Indianapolis Colts would undoubtedly select Gamble at 29th overall following the departures of cornerbacks Walt Harris and David Macklin in free agency. In order to advance their position ahead of the Colts, the Panthers traded their first round pick (31st overall) and a fourth round pick (127th overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft to the San Francisco 49ers and received the 28th overall pick in return and promptly used it to draft Gamble. He was the fourth cornerback drafted in 2004.[6]
On July 30, 2004, the Carolina Panthers signed Gamble to a five–year, $7.50 million rookie contract that included an initial signing bonus of $2.75 million.[7]
Head coach John Fox named Gamble the starting cornerback to begin the regular season, alongside Ricky Manning.[8] In 2004, Chris became the first rookie defensive player in Carolina Panthers history to start all 16 games, and earned Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie honors after establishing a Panthers rookie record with six interceptions, placing him in third in the NFL in interceptions.
In 2005, Gamble led the Panthers once again with seven interceptions, ranking him fourth in the NFL.[citation needed]
In 2006, Gamble once again led the team in interceptions. He tied teammates Ken Lucas and Richard Marshall with three interceptions each.[9]
In 2007, he finished the year with 50 tackles and one interception. In 2008, he finished the year with three interceptions and was tied for third in the NFL in passes defended with 19.[citation needed]
On November 28, 2008, the Carolina Panthers signed Gamble to a six–year, $52.75 million contract extension that included $23.25 million guaranteed and an initial signing bonus of $6.00 million.[10]
On March 8, 2013, Gamble was released by the Panthers. He played nine seasons in Carolina and holds the franchise record for interceptions with 27.[11] On March 11, 2013, Gamble retired.[12]
Panthers franchise records
Chris Gamble set three Panthers franchise records, including:
Interceptions: career (27)
Interception return yards: season (157 in 2005) and game (101 against Tampa Bay on November 6, 2005)
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