High school career
Ikard attended Bishop McGuinness High School (Oklahoma), Bishop McGuinness High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He had 29 receptions for 542 yards and nine touchdowns as a tight end in 2008, and also recorded 68 tackles and two interceptions, including six sacks and one defensive touchdown. He was named district 4A-1 Defensive Player of the Year, and earned ''The Oklahoman'' Little All-City Defensive Player of the Year. Considered a three-star recruit by ''Rivals.com'', he was rated as the 15th best tight end prospect in the nation. He committed to University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma over offers from Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma State, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame and Stanford University, Stanford.College career
After Redshirt (college sports), redshirting in 2009, Ikard would become the starting offensive guard, left guard for Oklahoma in the final 12 games of the 2010 season, while appearing in all 14. In 2011, he started the first three games at left guard before sliding over to center for seven games due to an injury, then returning to left guard for the final three games of the season. He was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press and first-team All-Big 12 Conference, Big 12. In 2012, he played in 12 games, starting all 12 at Center (American football), center, while earning first-team All-Big 12 Conference, Big 12 honours once again. In his final season in 2013, he started all 13 games while being named first-team All-Big 12 Conference, Big 12 for the third consecutive season. During his tenure, he was named an Academic All-American three times, and was named the Academic All-American of the Year in 2013.Professional career
Tennessee Titans
Ikard signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve following a knee injury in the preseason. He was released during final roster cuts in 2015.Buffalo Bills
On September 6, 2015, Ikard was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills. On December 5, 2015, the Buffalo Bills released Ikard.Cleveland Browns
On December 7, 2015, the Cleveland Browns claimed Ikard off waivers from the Buffalo Bills after placing offensive guard Joel Bitonio on injured reserve. Ikard was waived on December 14, 2015 and was replaced by Lineman (gridiron football), offensive lineman Kaleb Johnson.Detroit Lions
On December 15, 2015, the Detroit Lions signed Ikard to the active roster after cutting right guard LaAdrian Waddle and placing tight end Brandon Pettigrew on injured reserve. On September 3, 2016, he was waived by the Lions.Buffalo Bills (second stint)
On September 5, 2016, Ikard was signed to the Bills' practice squad. On September 15, 2016, Ikard was promoted to the Bills' active roster He was released on October 21, 2016.Cleveland Browns (second stint)
Ikard was claimed off waivers by the Browns on October 24, 2016. On August 28, 2017, Ikard was released by the Browns.Denver Broncos
On October 26, 2017, Ikard was signed to the Denver Broncos' practice squad. He was released on December 5, 2017.New Orleans Saints
On December 20, 2017, Ikard was signed to the New Orleans Saints' practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 16, 2018. On April 5, 2018, Ikard announced his retirement from professional football, citing discomfort with having to maintain a weight over and a general frustration with how his NFL career turned out.Radio career
In summer of 2017, before he was signed to the Denver Broncos, Gabe Ikard joined the "Franchise Players" radio show on local Oklahoma City radio station 107.7 The Franchise with fellow Sooner Kelly GreggReferences
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