Mississippi’s Greatest Athletes: Kline Gilbert

Kline Gilbert
Photo courtesy of Mississippi’s Greatest Athletes

Ole Miss and NFL standout Kline Gilbert was born 1930 in Catchings, a town that no longer exists.

Hollandale is the closest existing town to where he was raised. Gilbert was one of the early stars of the ultra-successful Coach John Vaught era at Ole Miss. Gilbert played for the Rebels from 1950-52, and was on the Rebels’ first of eight Sugar Bowl teams when the 1952 team made it to New Orleans for the New Year’s Day Classic.

Ole Miss’ first All-American, Bruiser Kinard, who was one of the assistant coaches while Gilbert was at Ole Miss, called Gilbert “the best blocking tackle in football.” Gilbert was named All-American, All-Southeastern Conference, and All-South in 1952. He played in the College All-Star Game in 1953.

In his professional football career with the Chicago Bears from 1953-57, he was team captain in 1956-57 and named All-Pro in 1958. Gilbert died in 1987 at age 56.

Courtesy of Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum director Rick Cleveland, author of Mississippi’s Greatest Athletes. Cleveland can be reached at rcleveland@msfame.com.