Gamble played cornerback, wide receiver, and kick returner at Ohio State. He was an integral part of the OSU 2002 national championship team, which went 14–0. Gamble played all three ways at Ohio State (offense, defense and special teams), earning 1st Team All-Big Ten honors, and 3rd Team All-America honors for cornerback. Gamble had four interceptions for the 2002 season, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
In 38 career games, he started 18 times on defense and 12 times on offense (started on both offense and defense in five contests in 2002). He recorded 65 tackles (51 solo) with three stops behind the line of scrimmage, seven interceptions and 21 pass deflections. He also caught 40 passes for 609 yards (15.2 avg.), rushed six times for 68 yards (11.3 avg.) with a touchdown, returned 60 punts for 467 yards (7.8 avg.) and had 18 kickoff returns for 384 yards (21.3 avg.).[citation needed]
Gamble majored in sports and leisure studies while at Ohio State.
The Carolina Panthers selected Gamble in the first round (28th overall) in the 2004 NFL draft. Gamble was the fourth cornerback drafted in 2004.[3]
Head coach John Fox named Gamble the starting cornerback to begin the regular season, alongside Ricky Manning.[4]
In 2004, Chris became the first rookie defensive player in Carolina Panthers history to start all 16 games, and earned Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie honors after establishing a Panthers rookie record with six interceptions, placing him in third in the NFL in interceptions.
In 2005, Gamble led the Panthers once again with seven interceptions, ranking him fourth in the NFL.[citation needed]
In 2006, Gamble once again led the team in interceptions. He tied teammates Ken Lucas and Richard Marshall with three interceptions each.[5]
In 2007, he finished the year with 50 tackles and one interception. In 2008, he finished the year with three interceptions and was tied for third in the NFL in passes defended with 19.[citation needed]
The Panthers rewarded Gamble on November 28, 2008, with a six-year $53 million contract including $23 million guaranteed, making him one of the highest-paid defensive backs in the league.[citation needed]
On March 8, 2013, Gamble was released by the Panthers. He played nine seasons in Carolina and holds the franchise record for interceptions with 27.[6] On March 11, 2013, Gamble retired.[7]
Panthers franchise records
Chris Gamble set three Panthers franchise records, including:
Interceptions: career (27)
Interception return yards: season (157 in 2005) and game (101 against Tampa Bay on November 6, 2005)
