Tony Gilbert


 * This article is about the American football player. For the British political activist, see David Tony Gilbert.

Antonio C. "Tony" Gilbert (born October 16, 1979 in Macon, Georgia) is a Free Agent American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia. He played high school football at Central High School in Macon.

Gilbert has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons.

College career
As a senior at the University of Georgia (UGA), he earned All-Southeastern Conference second-team honors and started every game at middle linebacker. He tied for the team lead with a career-high 114 tackles and recorded 2.5 sacks, 15 stops for losses, 13 quarterback pressures, 1 forced fumble and deflected 2 passes.

Arizona Cardinals
He was drafted in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.

Jacksonville Jaguars
He was signed off the Cardinals practice squad in 2003 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played five seasons with the Jaguars before being released during final cuts on August 30, 2008.

Atlanta Falcons
Two days after his release from the Jaguars, Gilbert was signed by the Atlanta Falcons on September 1, 2008. The move reunited him with Falcons head coach Mike Smith, who was defensive coordinator for the Jaguars during Gilbert's time in Jacksonville. The Falcons released linebacker Tony Taylor to make room for Gilbert on the roster.

On December 8, Gilbert was placed on Injured Reserve due to a hamstring injury. An unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason, Gilbert was re-signed by the Falcons on February 27.

Second Stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars
On August 8, 2010, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Tony Gilbert and two other players. On September 4, 2010, Gilbert was released.