Gilbert's light is shining

"Come in here, dear boy

Have a cigar, you're gonna go far

You're gonna fly high

You're never gonna die

You're gonna make it if you try

They're gonna love you."

- Pink Floyd

For most people being one of nine remaining contestants on NBC's latest reality show "The Contender" would mark a tremendous achievement.

Then again, Joey Gilbert isn't most people.

The 28-year-old Gilbert, 8-0, with 7 knockouts, will face Jimmy Lange, 24-1-1, 17 KO's, on this week's show (8 p.m. Sunday), but win or lose Gilbert's opportunities will only continue to grow.

Potential? Heck, if things keep on happening for Gilbert like they have been lately, it won't be long before he'll be featured on "Entertainment Tonight," on the cover of "The Enquirer" and dodging the paparazzi as he emerges from a Los Angeles nightclub with a mystery woman on his arm.

In addition to adding another laurel to his continually burgeoning list of accomplishments last week - it was announced that Gilbert will be appearing in a national advertising campaign alongside Sylvester Stallone as a spokesman for Stallone's new InStone nutrition company - the former three-time national champion for the University of Nevada boxing team said he may soon venture into other areas.

Until "The Contender" Gilbert's best performances came in the ring. But that may not be the case in a couple of years. Gilbert said Stallone indicated he just might have a shot at another career: action films.

"If Sylvester Stallone thinks I can be in action films, that's all you need to say," Gilbert said. "Action films and politics are my next two steps. I'm comfortable in front of the camera. Acting is what lawyers do in the courtroom. I've always known I couldn't be behind a desk. That's not where I'm at my best."

Consider if you will how far Gilbert has gone with a little encouragement from former referee, judge and Washoe County District Attorney Mills Lane, who originally told Gilbert he ought to consider going into law.

Gilbert graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, passed his Nevada bar exam and, along with partner Mark Schopper, founded the eponymous law firm of Gilbert & Schopper, LLP.

An attorney, sports and public relations agent, Gilbert, of Reno, also has a consulting firm, has done some modeling and now represents several athletes, including fellow Contender Jesse Brinkley, of Yerington.

"I'm at my best thinking on my feet, whether it be in a hostile situation or otherwise," Gilbert said. "I can't think while I'm sitting down. I have to be moving around, multitasking. That's Joey Gilbert in a nutshell: putting one foot in front of the other."

Whether it's running up and down stairs or using a sledgehammer to batter down concrete walls in helping his West team win challenges on the show, Gilbert has shown plenty of action on "The Contender," earning the nickname "Baby Stallone" from Brinkley.

"Thank God for Jesse Brinkley," Gilbert said. "Stallone told me nobody's been called 'Baby Stallone' since he made 'Rocky.' People are asking me, 'Are you related to Stallone?' I say, 'I don't know. Watch the show.' Perception becomes reality."

Life has altered dramatically for Gilbert. The other day he had 67 phone calls on his private cell phone. He's been Stallone's guest at his "compound" and on his private jet. And he gets to see himself on television each week.

"I still look at the TV and go, 'That's me,'" Gilbert said with a laugh. "I'll go, 'Why was I crying? What was that about?'"

Gilbert was referring to a recent episode on which he choked up while speaking to his father, who unbeknownst to Gilbert had recently returned safely from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

"I'm Italian. I'm emotional. That's how it is," Gilbert said. "All the girls I talk to go, 'That was so cute.' My friends say, 'Never cry on TV again.'

"Brinkley called me at 1 a.m. and left a message, 'Hey, my agent does not cry on TV shows.' I called him back and he said, 'Guido' (another of Brinkley's nicknames for Gilbert), come on. You're killing me. I see you crying and I'm almost crying. You can't do that to me.'"

Gilbert still has some face and ring time on "The Contender" and a boxing career (among others) to attend to, but if Stallone's instincts are true and if Gilbert rises to yet another challenge, you just might someday find yourself paying $8 to see him on the Big Screen. Then perception will have indeed become reality.