Education
He graduated from Cornell University in 1918 and was a member of the Quill and Dagger society.
He graduated from Cornell University in 1918 and was a member of the Quill and Dagger society.
He appeared in 72 games, 51 of which as a starter, as a tackle for the Chicago Cardinals between 1920 and 1933, earning All-Pro honors in 1922. He coached the team in 1933, which was his final season as a player and only as a coach, to a 1-5 record. Fred later married Blanche Wilderand and adopted Theo Janet Howells, the biological daughter of Blanche"s sister, Gertrude Wilder.
Gillies also worked and volunteered for the Republican Party.
Gillies suffered a leg injury, as a result of the accident, which left him in a leg brace for the rest of his life.