Dillon Gabriel: Is related to Roman Gabriel| Interception| Pick 6

1. Introduction

The name Gabriel holds weight in football circles, thanks to both Roman Gabriel—an NFL legend—and up-and-coming star Dillon Gabriel. Fans often wonder: are these two connected by blood, or merely by name? Meanwhile, Dillon’s early NFL action has been marked by both promise and a memorable interception returned for a touchdown (a pick-6). Let’s unpack both stories in full detail.

2. Who Is Dillon Gabriel?

• Early Life & College Career
  Born December 28, 2000, in Mililani, Hawaii, Dillon Gabriel is a standout quarterback whose college journey spans UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon.
  At UCF, he made an immediate impact by taking over early in the season, eventually launching into prolific seasons and setting major statistical records.

• College Achievements
  Among his accolades, Gabriel became the all-time FBS leader (tied with Case Keenum) in career touchdown passes (155), and ranks second in passing yards in D-I history with 18,722 yards.

• Rise to the NFL
  Selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft (94th overall), Gabriel brings a wealth of college success to a busy Browns quarterback room.

3. Who Was Roman Gabriel?

Roman Gabriel shined in the NFL during the 1960s and 70s, primarily with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. A two-time Pro Bowl selection and the 1969 NFL MVP, he earned a place among the league’s most celebrated quarterbacks.

4. Family Connection: Myth vs. Fact

Despite sharing a surname and position, Dillon Gabriel is not related to Roman Gabriel:

• Multiple investigative sources, including Sportzhive, clarify that there is no biological relation between the two—it’s a case of shared surname only.

• Other outlets (e.g., Sportskeeda) reinforce this: despite the similar names, “they are not related”.

• A few profiles add depth: Dillon’s younger brother is actually named Roman Gabriel, inspired by the NFL legend—but that doesn’t connect Dillon and the Hall of Famer by family ties.

Summary Box:

5. Dillon Gabriel’s Rookie NFL Debut & Pick-6 Breakdown

In his preseason debut with the Browns (Aug 16, 2025), Dillon Gabriel showed flashes of precision and promise, but also endured critical first-half mistakes:

• Performance Highlights: Completed 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards; demonstrated composure and schematically sound movement in the pocket.

• Pick-6 Incident: On the first play of the second quarter, Gabriel attempted a forced pass that Eagles rookie Andrew Mukuba intercepted and returned for a touchdown—a classic pick-6.
  Mukuba’s play marked his first NFL interception and pick-6.

• Fumble on Handoff: Gabriel’s second turnover came from a fumbled handoff to Pierre Strong Jr.

• Recovery & Positives: Despite these misfires, Gabriel bounced back with a 29-yard strike to Kaden Davis, facilitating a field goal drive before halftime.

• Team Context: Competing for QB roles alongside veterans like Joe Flacco and rookies such as Shedeur Sanders, Gabriel’s debut showed both his potential and areas needing refinement.

6. Media & Fan Reactions

• Balanced Coverage: Outlets like New York Post and Dawgs by Nature highlighted Gabriel’s mixed performance—showing both early confidence and rookie errors.

• Inside the QB Race: AS.com quoted Gabriel’s subtle dig at his competition, stating “there are entertainers and competitors”—a nod to his self-identity as a competitor in the QB room.

• Broader Preseason Overview: Reuters acknowledged Gabriel’s 143-yard debut and Mukuba’s pick-6 as part of the ongoing preseason narrative.

7. Implications for Gabriel’s Early Career

• Learning Curve: The pick-6 and fumble are typical rookie mistakes, yet Gabriel’s ability to recalibrate and sustain drives shows mental toughness.

• Opportunities Ahead: With more preseason games (including an Aug 23 clash vs. the Rams) and eventual roster decisions, Gabriel’s ability to stay consistent and avoid high-risk plays will determine his standing in the QB hierarchy.

• Narrative Framing: The question of his relation to Roman Gabriel can be reframed as a compelling “myth vs. reality” storyline that SEO-targets his name while providing clarity to curious fans.

8. FAQs

Q1: Is Dillon Gabriel related to Roman Gabriel?
A: No, there is no biological relation. Their similarity ends with their shared surname and position. Dillon’s younger brother is actually named Roman Gabriel, named in tribute—not indicating family ties to the NFL legend.

Q2: What happened during Dillon Gabriel’s pick-6 in his NFL debut?
A: In his preseason debut on August 16, 2025, Gabriel threw a pass on the first play of the second quarter that was intercepted by Eagles rookie Andrew Mukuba and returned 75 yards for a touchdown. This was among Gabriel’s two turnovers in the first half.

Q3: How did Dillon Gabriel perform overall in his first NFL game?
A: Despite two turnovers (a pick-6 and a fumble), he completed 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards and demonstrated promising composure and command of the offense.

Q4: Who is Andrew Mukuba, and what’s the significance of the pick-6?
A: Mukuba is a rookie defensive back drafted in the second round by the Eagles. His pick-6 against Gabriel was his first NFL interception and the first touchdown of his career.

Q5: What’s next for Dillon Gabriel in the Browns’ QB competition?
A: Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, Joe Flacco, and others are all vying for playing time. Gabriel’s next opportunity likely comes in preseason’s final game (e.g., Aug 23 vs. Rams) as he looks to prove consistency and reliability.