Density functional theory is used to study different models of the glycyl radical in proteins. The radical is characterized by means of the C-alpha-H bond strength, geometry, spin distribution, and hyperfine parameters. It is shown that, due to substituent effects from the peptide bond, the protein-bound glycyl radical is less stable than the nonprotein-bound one. This effect is of great importance for the biological function of the glycyl radical. The capto-dative resonance stabilization is confirmed, and new resonances are suggested to arise due to the peptide bond, resulting in further delocalization of the unpaired spin.