Sam Gash

Samuel Lee Gash Jr. (born March 7, 1969) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Professional career

Gash was drafted in the eighth round of the 1992 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. A two time Pro Bowler in his twelve-year career, Gash played for the Patriots (1992–1997), Buffalo Bills (1998–1999, 2003), and the Baltimore Ravens (2000–2002). In 1999, Gash earned the unique distinction of being the first back in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl without carrying the ball at all during the regular season. He won a Super Bowl in 2000 with the Baltimore Ravens. Gash was cut by the New Orleans Saints one day before the 2004 training camp began.

Coaching Gash began his coaching career in 2005 with the New York Jets as an assistant running backs coach. In January 2007, Gash was hired as the Detroit Lions' assistant special teams coach. In 2008, he became the Lions' running backs coach. Gash was fired by the Lions on December 31, 2012.

On February 10, 2014, Gash was announced as the running backs coach of the Green Bay Packers. On January 19, 2016, he was fired by the Packers.

Personal life Gash has relatives also involved with football. His younger brother, Eric, played outside linebacker at the University of North Carolina. In 2014 Eric Gash was selected as the head coach at his alma mater, Hendersonville High School, for the 2014 season. He is only the second African American hired as a head football coach at a western North Carolina high school since the late 1960s integration of public schools. The Gash brothers have a cousin, Thane, who played safety for the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. His son, Isaiah, played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. Another son, Elijah, played college lacrosse for the Albany Great Danes and was drafted 30th overall in the 2023 Premier Lacrosse League draft by Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club. Elijah was drafted 46th overall in the 2023 National Lacrosse League draft by Panther City Lacrosse Club before being picked up the Toronto Rock in a dispersal draft after Panther City ceased operations in 2024.

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