Blake Gideon

Gideon was a two-time all-state selection at Leander High School in football. On the gridiron, Gideon recorded 300 tackles, 10 INTs, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and 14 TDs in his three years as a starter. He was coached by his father, Steve Gideon. He also lettered in baseball and track and field.

As a freshman safety, Gideon dropped a potential game-sealing interception against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. On the very next play, with just one second remaining, Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree caught a game-winning touchdown pass, ending Texas’ undefeated season and dashing its hopes of reaching the 2009 BCS National Championship Game. The Associated Press described Crabtree’s dramatic score as "arguably the biggest touchdown of the college football season." Due to a tiebreaker, Texas instead earned a berth in the Fiesta Bowl.^[1][2]

As a sophomore for the Longhorns, Gideon started every game and emerged as a defensive cornerstone, recording five interceptions. He helped anchor a unit that allowed just 251 yards per game — the third-best total defense in the nation.^[2]

Gideon started all 52 games as safety during his college career.^[3] His 52 consecutive starts rank second all-time at Texas. He was named to the 2011 Jim Thorpe Award watch list and was a four-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection. Gideon posted 276 tackles (166 solo), 10 INTs, 20 PBU, two sacks, eight TFL, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt during his college career. He was said to have been a "coach on the field."

Gideon went undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft and was signed as a free agent by the Arizona Cardinals on April 30, 2012. He completed training camp with the Cardinals but was waived on August 21. On October 9 he was signed by the Broncos to their practice squad. He was placed on the reserve/retired list on May 21, 2013, but the Broncos still hold his rights if he desires to return.