Tashaun Gipson Sr.

Tashaun Gipson Sr.'s Biography

Tashaun James Gipson Sr, born on August 7, 1990, hails from San Bernardino, California, but grew up in Dallas, Texas. A distinguished athlete, the stage for his professional football career was set during his high school years at Kimball High School. He demonstrated exceptional athletic capabilities as a multi-sports star, participating in football, basketball, and track. His remarkable prowess on the gridiron earned him the title of the Most Valuable Player of the 4A District 14 Dallas City League. Apart from garnering First Team All-District honors both as a cornerback and as a returner, Gipson left an indelible mark in the two key areas of the game – defense and offense. At the defense, he pulled 35 tackles, disrupted nine passes, and made two fumble recoveries. Offensively, he accumulated over 1,400 all-purpose yards and achieved 14 touchdowns, while also serving as an offensive team captain. Throughout his high school career, Gipson made his mark at various positions such as quarterback, wide receiver and free safety, in addition to returning punts and kicks. Multiple universities including Baylor, Louisville, Fresno State and Idaho recruited him due to his extraordinary talent.

Gipson decided to attend the University of Wyoming, wherein he played cornerback along with his brother Marcell for the Wyoming Cowboys football team from 2008 to 2010. He switched to safety after playing as a cornerback for the initial part of his senior season. The year 2011 stood out in Gipson’s career at Wyoming thanks to his record-breaking 95 total tackles (73 solo and 22 assists). He also has half a sack, a forced fumble, and three interceptions to his credit.

Despite being undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft, Gipson was signed by the Cleveland Browns on April 29, 2012, securing a three-year contract of $1.44 million. Rising through the ranks in training camp, he managed to secure the position of third free safety on the Browns’ depth chart in that regular season. His NFL career took off in a spectacular manner with his debut during their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. He recorded his first NFL tackle in the same match. Due to an injury, he missed five games but returned stronger to earn his first career start against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Week 12 victory. He marked his NFL career with much enthusiasm in the subsequent games, grabbing a season-high of eight tackles, two combined tackles, deflections, and his first career interception.

Gipson’s elevated contributions in the 2013 season won him the starting free safety position. His remarkable performances against teams like Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears helped his team clinch numerous victories. Despite various serious injuries prompting his absence from a few games, Gipson showcased stunning performances with a record-breaking number of tackles, pass deflections, interceptions, and even a pick-six against Miami Dolphins.

Starting the 2014 season as the Browns’ de facto starting free safety, Gipson proved his worth with exceptional performances & a game-changing interception. Unfortunately, he sustained serious knee injuries that resulted in his absence from a few matches. Nevertheless, his multiple interceptions earned him the second position in the league. Alongside his illustrious career, he was also voted to play in the 2015 Pro Bowl. However, his knee injury prevented his participation in the event.

In 2015, Gipson was retained by the Browns for a one-year contract worth $2.56 million, securing his position as the starting safety. Although he missed a few matches due to an ankle injury, he made an impressive return against Arizona Cardinals. After receiving no offer from the Browns post-2015, he signed a five-year contract worth $36 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2016. Displaying an unwavering excellence in his performance, Gipson was named the starting free safety.

The subsequent seasons saw Gipson’s career reach new heights. As the team’s top safety, Gipson played a main role in the Jaguars’ victory in several games, including the 2018 playoffs against the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers. Though the Jaguars faced a loss against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, Gipson’s performance remained commendable.

Following his release from the Jacksonville Jaguars due to salary cap issues, the Houston Texans signed Gipson in March 2019. With the Texans, Gipson continued to add achievements to his illustrious career, marked with exceptional interceptions and significant victories. Between Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers, Tashaun James Gipson Sr has created a stellar career in the National Football League (NFL). He remains an iconic figure in the sport and continues to play as a professional football safety.