Gary Michael Barnidge (born September 22, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft (picked 141st overall). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals. He has also played in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns. Early years Barnidge was born on September 22, 1985 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He attended and played high school football at Middleburg High School. College career Barnidge played college football at Louisville from 2004 to 2007. As a freshman, he had seven receptions for 85 yards and four touchdowns. As a sophomore, he had 17 receptions for 240 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior, he had 31 receptions for 511 yards and four touchdowns. As a senior, he had 53 receptions for 655 yards and seven touchdowns. In the game against Middle Tennessee State, he had four receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns to go along with a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He played in 48 games, including 29 starts and recorded 108 receptions for 1,491 yards and 17 touchdowns. He majored in sports administration. Professional career Carolina Panthers Barnidge was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round (141st overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft. The Panthers previously acquired the pick from the New York Jets in a trade that sent Kris Jenkins to the Jets. With the Panthers, Barnidge's main impact came on special-teams. In the 2008 season, he appeared in fifteen games in the regular season and the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Arizona Cardinals. In the 2009 season, he had 12 receptions for 242 yards. In 2010, he appeared in all 16 games and led the team with 17 special-teams tackles. He missed the whole 2011 NFL season with a broken ankle suffered in a preseason practice. In November 26, 2012, Barnidge recorded his first professional touchdown reception against the Philadelphia Eagles on a 24-yard pass from Cam Newton. Overall, he finished the 2012 season with six receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. Cleveland Browns On March 14, 2013, Barnidge was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an unrestricted free agent. In the 2013 season, he had 13 receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. In the 2014 season, he had 13 receptions for 156 yards.