Rene played soccer for: Sparta Rotterdam, PSV Eindhoven, SC Heerenveen and the Dutch National Soccer-team.
Between 1982 and 1987, he played 15 matches for the Dutch national soccer team in which he scored 2 goals.
René van der Gijp is a character in the comic "De Stamgasten", made by Toon van Driel, René is "De Gijpvogel".
May/June 2012 the character from Stamgasten "De Gijpvogel" is now available as a toy.
In 2019, René van der Gijp has been named funniest Dutchman by readers of Veronica Magazine. The football analyst leaves professional comedians André van Duin and Jochem Myjer behind.