Robert Gallery's story is one of remarkable physical prowess, crushing expectations, and a courageous battle with mental health. From his days as a dominant offensive lineman at the University of Iowa to his struggles in the NFL and his eventual transformation, Gallery's journey is a testament to resilience and the importance of seeking help.
Early Life and Rise to Prominence
Born on July 26, 1980, in Manchester, Iowa, Robert J. Gallery was raised on an 880-acre farm near Masonville. The values instilled in him during his upbringing shaped him into the person he is today. Growing up on a farm instilled in him a strong work ethic and a deep connection to his roots. He participated in various tasks, from picking up rocks to driving tractors, which instilled in him a strong work ethic. Even now, he visits his family's farm in Masonville every fall to help with the harvest.
Gallery excelled in multiple sports at East Buchanan High School, showcasing his versatility as a linebacker, tight end, and special teams player for the football team. He continued his athletic career at the University of Iowa, initially as a lightly-regarded 225-lb tight end.
Collegiate Success and the Outland Trophy
Gallery's transformation at Iowa was remarkable. He packed on serious muscle mass, growing into a 325-lb. offensive tackle.
During Gallery's junior year, the Hawkeyes achieved an impressive 11-2 record, and Gallery earned his first First-Team All-Big Ten selection. The team clinched the Big Ten Championship by defeating Minnesota 45-21 on November 16, 2002, marking their first Big Ten title in 12 years and also beat all of their conference opponents - a feat they hadn’t accomplished in 80 years. Although they lost to USC in the 2003 Orange Bowl, Gallery's performance solidified his status as one of the nation's top offensive linemen.
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In 2003, Gallery's senior year, he was named co-captain by coach Kirk Ferentz. That year, Robert Gallery won the Outland Trophy, awarded to the best interior lineman in college football.
NFL Draft and Expectations
Robert Gallery's future appeared bright when he played at Iowa under coach Kirk Ferentz. After his junior season, Ferentz suggested Gallery could enter the NFL draft and be a top-10 pick. Gallery admitted that his coach’s words were “flabbergasting,” because all he ever thought about was his steps, hand placement and being better on the next play and the next game.
The Oakland Raiders selected Gallery as the second overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. The Raiders believed Gallery's speed, size, and athleticism would solve their offensive line problems.
NFL Career: High Hopes and Harsh Realities
Gallery signed a seven-year deal with Oakland on July 29, 2004. A source told The Associated Press (via ESPN) the deal was worth $60 million with as much as $18.5 million in guaranteed money.
Despite the initial excitement, Gallery's NFL career didn't live up to the lofty expectations. He played right tackle, left tackle, and left guard for struggling Raiders teams. He suited up in 104 career games for the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks over an eight-year period.
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In seven years with the Raiders, Gallery had five head coaches, played in six offenses, blocked for a dozen starting quarterbacks, lost 70 percent of his games and never made the playoffs.
In his first two years in Oakland, he started at right tackle, then moved to left tackle in his third year. That season, the Raiders brought Art Shell out of retirement to be the head coach and hired an offensive coordinator who hadn’t coached in the league in 12 years and had been managing a bed and breakfast. Jackie Slater had been one of the all-time great offensive tackles but was a green coach in charge of the offensive line. He coached vertical pass sets, which were foreign to Gallery. During a 2-14 season, Gallery was one of many Raiders who struggled.
In his fourth season, with Tom Cable as his new position coach, Gallery was moved to left guard, where he played the rest of his career. He resisted the change initially but grew to appreciate the mauling aspect of interior line play.
Cable eventually became head coach of the Raiders but was fired after the 2010 season. He went to Seattle as offensive line coach, and Gallery, upon becoming a free agent, followed him.
He retired from professional football on August 4, 2012. Two months after he hung up his cleats, Gallery told The Gazette he decided to retire because he couldn’t compete at a high level anymore.
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While some pundits and fans have labeled him a bust, Gallery remains unfazed. He also told The Gazette he played through several injuries during his eight-year NFL career.
A Dark Chapter: Mental Health Struggles
After retiring from the NFL, Gallery faced a difficult transition. The structure and routine of football were gone, leaving him feeling lost and without purpose. He began experiencing brain fog, ringing in his ears, memory voids, and bouts of rage.
Gallery wondered if he was bipolar or losing his mind. His thinking always seemed clouded and impeded by tinnitus. There were times he couldn’t remember his children’s names. When he was driving familiar roads, he sometimes became disoriented and had to look at a map or call Becca to ask her where he was headed.
He detested attending his kids’ school and sports functions because he had to interact with people. Gallery found a way to numb his anxiety, bringing a bottle of tequila and emptying it one double on the rocks at a time. If he were ordering from a bar, he might down 10 doubles in an hour.
Suicidal thoughts became increasingly frequent. He courted death, riding his motorcycle at dangerous speeds and engaging in risky off-road adventures.
Seeking Help and Finding a Path to Recovery
A turning point for Robert Gallery came when he asked his wife, Becca, for help. He broke down and asked for help, using words he never had before - depression, anxiety, burden, suicide.
His admission was a relief for Becca because she knew. Wives always know. She told her husband he needed to speak with someone who understood what he was feeling.
Gallery contacted James Hetfield, the lead singer of Metallica, who had struggled with similar issues. Hetfield shared his experiences and helped Gallery understand the importance of seeking help and that his family needed him even if he was imperfect.
Gallery was ready to try anything. Therapy wasn’t doing it. He had a SPECT scan taken that showed his brain appeared mangled. He curtailed drinking, addressed an imbalance in hormones, used a hyperbaric chamber and had fusion and IV therapy. Sleep subsequently improved, but depression did not.
About four years ago, Gallery started listening to “Team Never Quit,” a podcast with Marcus Luttrell, the only surviving Navy SEAL from a 2005 mission in Afghanistan and subject of the motion picture “Lone Survivor.” One of Luttrell’s guests was Marcus Capone, another former SEAL. In their conversation, Capone talked about his depression. All his symptoms were Gallery’s symptoms.
Gallery contacted Capone’s VETS foundation, which helps struggling veterans with mental health issues. Capone and his wife, Amber, told Gallery their foundation had sent more than 200 people for Ibogaine treatment.
Life After Football
Today, Robert Gallery is a changed man. He is an advocate for mental health awareness and shares his story to inspire others to seek help. He is a dad who works on his home ranch and spends time helping customize cars at a friend's shop.
He remains connected to his Iowa roots, returning to his family's farm to help with the harvest. He is also involved in his children's lives and enjoys spending time with his family.
Gallery's story is a reminder that even the most successful individuals can face mental health challenges. His willingness to seek help and share his experiences is an inspiration to others struggling with similar issues.