Robert Gallery
An NFL lineman whose second act transformed him from a high draft pick into a forceful advocate for the mental wellness of fellow athletes.
Born 1980 (age 46)·American football player·Birthday: July 26·Generation X
Biography
Robert Gallery's football story is one of adaptation and, ultimately, greater purpose. Drafted second overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2004, the massive Iowa Hawkeye standout faced the immense pressure that comes with such a selection. His NFL journey saw him shift positions along the offensive line, battling injuries and the relentless expectations of the league over eight seasons. The true measure of his impact, however, came after he hung up his cleats. Drawing from the often-unseen struggles of athletic life, Gallery co-founded Athletes for Care, a non-profit dedicated to mental health advocacy, wellness, and community for athletes of all sports. In this role, he has used his platform and experience to break stigmas and provide resources, building a legacy that far outweighs any on-field accolade.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Robert was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Robert Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Robert's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected with the second overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.
- Received unanimous All-American honors following his senior season at the University of Iowa.
- Co-founded and serves as President of Athletes for Care, a major non-profit focused on athlete mental and physical health.
Did You Know?
In high school in Iowa, he was a state champion wrestler in the heavyweight division.
He started his college career as a tight end before moving to the offensive line.
His brother, John Gallery, also played offensive line at the University of Iowa.
“You find your role, and you do the job for the man next to you.”
