Gabriel Nicholas Wilkins (born January 9, 1971) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for six seasons with the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1994 to 1999. He played college football for the GardnerâÂÂWebb Runnin' Bulldogs.
He attended Gettys D. Broome High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Attending NAIA GardnerâÂÂWebb University, Wilkins recorded 29 sacks and 53 tackles for loss (both school records), and participated in the 1992 NAIA Football Championship game.
Wilkins was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 1994 NFL draft (fourth round, 126th overall). After being used sparingly in his first three seasons, Wilkins performed well in relief of Reggie White during Super Bowl XXXI, recording a tackle and a deflected pass. Becoming a starter after Sean Jones retired in 1997, Wilkins finished the season with 50 tackles, 5.5 sacks, a 77-yard interception return touchdown, and a fumble recovery touchdown. However, Wilkins played only one drive of Super Bowl XXXII due to a knee injury.
Following the 1997 season, the San Francisco 49ers signed Wilkins to a 5-year, $20 million contract. After recording 30 tackles and a sack over two years in San Francisco and being injured late in his career, Wilkins retired after the 1999 season.
Wilkins now lives in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with his wife and four daughters.