Much like fellow inductee Ed Blanton, there was not much Mike Gibson could not do as a lineman on the Napa High Football team. Gibson was not a typical “big and burly lineman” who relied strictly on size. Rather he was quick, athletic, and passionate; skills he demonstrated on both the football field and basketball court.
As a guard-defensive lineman, Gibson played on back-to-back Monticello Empire League champion football teams, in 2002 and 2003. In his Napa High career Gibson was both offense and defense first team All MEL, MEL Lineman of the Year, second team All State and was on the inaugural Sac-Joaquin All Section team.
Gibson played two years at Solano Community College, where he was named first-team All Bay Valley Conference in both seasons, and was a first-team All American in 2005. Gibson is a member of the Solano College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Gibson continued his career at UC Berkeley where he played two seasons for the Bears. In 2006, as a junior, Gibson was named second-team All PAC 10 and in 2007, as a senior, he moved to left tackle and was named All PAC 10 Conference honorable mention. Gibson’s career continued as he was selected in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles where played six years in the NFL.
In his letter of recommendation for Gibson, Marty James writes, “There is much more to Mike Gibson than just his background in football. Mike represented the program with class and honor and pride.” This was evidenced by Gibson returning to Napa High during his CAL playing days to help coach Napa High players.
Gibson and his wife, fellow Hall of Fame member Jessi Emery Gibson, live in San Diego.