He accepted a football scholarship from Texas Christian University, to become part of the school's tradition at quarterback.

In college, he was a highly publicized athlete, who was usually mentioned in pre-season All-American teams, but could never reach that type of success.

He also played a key role in beating the #1 ranked University of Texas and received the Rogers Trophy as the team MVP at the end of the season.

In 1963, Gibbs entered the league as the tallest quarterback in NFL history (until 1991 when Dan McGwire broke the record).

[3] Even though he signed a three-year no-cut contract that was honored by the Dallas Cowboys, he was released before the start of the 1964 season.

[4] On October 27, 1964, because the Cowboys still held Gibbs rights, the Detroit Lions traded a fourth-round draft choice (#53-Bob Svihus) and paid over US$40,000 to be able to sign him, so he could back up Milt Plum, after Earl Morrall was lost for the year with a broken collarbone.