1964, Nov 14th: "Riders Run TiCats Ragged - Pick Up 17-Point Bulge"

Continuing to focus on the three players about to enter the TD Place Wall of Honour, today we have a look at Gene Gaines, who played for the Rough Riders from 1962 to 1969.

As mentioned in the press release announcing his addition to the Wall, he returned a kickoff 128 yards for a score against Hamilton in the first of two game for the 1964 Eastern Final. The summary of that game is clipped below, along with an additional snippet in which the accomplishment is put into perspective.

Gaines was a league all-star in 1965, 1966 and 1967 and a Grey Cup champion in 1968 and 1969.

1960, Sept. 15th: "Riders Grind Argos to First Defeat, Thelen Nears Big 4 Rushing Mark"

This post is inspired by the Redblacks' announcement earlier this week that three former Rough Rider players would be added to the stadium's wall of honour, including Dave Thelen.

The announcement lists Thelen's accomplishments quite thoroughly so there's no point in rehashing them here. Rather, the Ottawa Journal story below summarizes a game in which Thelen ran for 209 yards on his way to leading the league in rushing yards that year (1960) and being named an Eastern all-star. The Rough Riders would win the Grey Cup that year, 16-06, against Edmonton.  

2022 Jr. Rider All-Stars!

It may seem late to reveal these, but they only appeared on the league's website on April 2nd. I believe the QMJFL tends to announce their all-star teams as part of the launch of the upcoming season, typically. Hell, I've taken to seeing it as a sign that spring has finally arrived! 😋  

A subsequent post on the league's site named their individual award winners as well. Here they are.