Gross attended Franklin High School, where he was a two-time All-conference selection in both football and basketball.
In 1984, he was named the starter at strong safety and was part of a secondary that earned the nickname "Dawgs", while helping the defensive unit to finish second overall in the NFL.
[3] In 1987, he started the first four games of the season at free safety, before experiencing complications from a knee injury he suffered the year before.
He lost his starting position to Felix Wright and was placed on the inactive list during the last 4 games of the regular season and the playoffs.
[4] On August 4, 1988, he requested to be released from the Browns roster, after feeling he wasn't getting much work in training camp.