Gabriel Nicholas Wilkins (born January 9, 1971) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for six seasons with the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1994 to 1999. He played college football for the Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs.
Early life He attended Gettys D. Broome High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
College career Attending NAIA Gardner–Webb University, Wilkins recorded 29 sacks and 53 tackles for loss (both school records), and participated in the 1992 NAIA Football Championship game.
Professional career Green Bay Packers Wilkins was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 1994 NFL draft (fourth round, 126th overall). After being used sparingly in his first three seasons, Wilkins performed well in relief of Reggie White during Super Bowl XXXI, recording a tackle and a deflected pass. Becoming a starter after Sean Jones retired in 1997, Wilkins finished the season with 50 tackles, 5.5 sacks, a 77-yard interception return touchdown, and a fumble recovery touchdown. However, Wilkins played only one drive of Super Bowl XXXII due to a knee injury.
San Francisco 49ers Following the 1997 season, the San Francisco 49ers signed Wilkins to a 5-year, $20 million contract. After recording 30 tackles and a sack over two years in San Francisco and being injured late in his career, Wilkins retired after the 1999 season.
NFL career statistics Legend Won the Super Bowl Bold Career high
Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck Int Yds TD Lng FF FR Yds TD 1994 GNB 15 0 4 3 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1995 GNB 13 8 15 12 3 3.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1996 GNB 16 1 19 12 7 3.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1997 GNB 16 16 50 30 20 5.5 1 77 1 77 1 3 1 1 1998 SFO 8 4 10 10 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1999 SFO 16 15 26 17 9 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 84 44 124 84 40 13.5 1 77 1 77 3 3 1 1
Post-career life Wilkins now lives in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with his wife and four daughters.
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