Gene Gaines

Class of 1994

After a stellar career at UCLA, Gene Gaines was drafted by both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Diego Chargers, but decided to play pro football in Canada.

Gaines was an outstanding offensive and defensive halfback, and in Ottawa was considered the “quarterback” on the defensive squad.

Gaines returned to the Montreal Alouettes in the dual role of player and defensive backfield coach. Many credit Gaines’ hard work on and off the field for Montreal’s 1970 Grey Cup victory.

During his 16-year career Gaines played 217 games, 161 of them consecutive. Gaines intercepted 42 passes for 679 yards and returned 60 punts for 306 yards and had 56 kickoff returns for 1,112 yards, one a 128-yard return for a touchdown in the 1964 Eastern final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Playing Career

Montreal Alouettes
1961
Ottawa Rough Riders
1962 - 1969
Montreal Alouettes
1970 - 1976

Awards/Honours

  • All-Eastern Linebacker
    1963
  • All-Eastern Defensive Back
    1965 - 1967, 1971
  • All-Canadian Defensive Back
    1965 - 1967
  • Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy
    1966
  • Grey Cup Participation
    1964, 1966, 1968 - 1970, 1974, 1975
  • Grey Cup Winning Teams
    1968 - 1970, 1974