He attended the University of Iowa, where he played on teams with future Detroit Lion teammate Alex Karras.

[1] In the 1957 Rose Bowl, Gibbons was a starter on the #3-ranked Iowa team that defeated #10-ranked Oregon State 35-19, catching a 16-yard pass from quarterback and the game's MVP Ken Ploen.

However, three days prior to the first regular season game, the Browns acquired punter Dick Deschaine from the Green Bay Packers.

[4] Cleveland used that pick to acquire guard John Wooten, a two-time All-Pro who started for the Browns through the 1967 season.

Gibbons scored the game winning touchdown on a 65-yard pass from quarterback Earl Morrall as time expired, giving the Lions a 20–15 victory.