Gale Herbert Gillingham February 3, 1944 — October 20, 2011, was a guard in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers.
Gillingham was born in Madison, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a classmate of future Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Aaron Brown, whom he faced in Super Bowl I.
In his rookie season, he alternated as the starter at left guard with veteran Fuzzy Thurston. During the 1967 season, he took Thurston's spot full-time, opposite perennial All-Pro Jerry Kramer. He started the Ice Bowl and Super Bowl II, coach Vince Lombardi's final games after nine seasons with the team.
Gillingham was the last member of the Lombardi-era Packers to be active with the franchise. By time he retired, Bart Starr, whom he blocked for when Starr was leading the Packers to victories in the first two Super Bowls, was the team's coach. Gillingham was a five-time Pro Bowler (1969, '70, '71, 73 and '74), six-time All Pro, and a two-time NFL First Team All Pro (1969 and '70).
Gillingham died in Little Falls, Minnesota, age 67, survived by his three sons and one daughter. His oldest son, Karl, is a Professional Strongman and has competed in two Worlds Strongest Man competitions. Middle son, Brad, is a 5 time World Champion powerlifter with several National and World Records. Youngest son, Wade, is a former Professional Strongman and is widely regarded as having one of the best grips in the world.
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