Donnie Gibbs

Donald Ray Gibbs was an American professional football punter who played college football for TCU Horned Frogs and played professionally for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL.

Gibbs born on December 31, 1945, to Clyde and Frances Gibbs.

Gibbs said of becoming TCU's punter "I feel like a freak, standing off to one side of the field and just kicking the ball. It's a little boring and I miss playing quarterback. But if this is the best way I can help the team, then I'm for it. In 1966, he was named to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram All-Southwest Conference Team after recording a 43.1 yard per punt average through 9 games. After college Gibbs played quarterback and punter for the Fort Worth Braves of the Texas Football League from 1968 through 1971.

Gibbs played for the Saints in 1974. He asked for a tryout as a 29 year old and beat out Steve O'Neal – holder of the NFL record for longest punt ever – for the punting job. Gibbs had spent the prior two years selling women's clothing. Gibbs said of the play "I just flat dropped it. I wasn't concentrating on fielding the snap. I went in there and didn't do my first job, catch the ball."

Gibbs died on February 21, 2006, in Pennsylvania at the age of 60. He was survived by three daughters and a son.