Iowa football will honor former Hawkeye Robert Gallery during their upcoming game against Michigan State on Saturday. The University of Iowa, The National Football Foundation (NFF), & College Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday that they will jointly honor the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame electee with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute.
Gallery played for the University of Iowa from 1999 to 2003. He started his career as a redshirt freshman tight end, transitioning to tackle where he started six games as a freshman. He made his full transition to offensive tackle his sophomore year, starting all 12 games at left tackle where he would stay the following two years.
He was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection in both of his final two years, helping lead Iowa to a Big Ten Championship his junior season. As a senior, he was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American and was awarded the Outland Trophy.
Gallery would be drafted second overall in the 2004 NFL draft by the then-Oakland Raiders. He played 104 career games with the Raiders from 2004 to 2010.
Gallery was inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. Earlier this year, the College Football Hall of Fame voted to select Gallery for induction into the 2023 Class.
The 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 5 at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
During the NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, each electee returns to his respective school to accept a Hall of Fame plaque that will stay on permanent display at the institution.
Robert Gallery NFF Hall Of Fame On-Campus Salute Set for Saturday#Hawkeyes x @LegacyHawks
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) September 26, 2023
The events take place on the field during a home game, and many Hall of Famers cite the experience as the ultimate capstone to their careers, providing them one more chance to take the field and be recognized in front of their home crowd.
This Saturday’s Honorary Captain is Robert Gallery ‼️ #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/ZI2uussNrf
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) September 28, 2023
Robert Gallery will be an honorary captain for his Hawkyes one last time as they take on the Spartans Saturday night in a Big Ten clash on NBC beginning with the 6:30 p.m. CT kick from Kinnick Stadium.
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