A native of Timmins, Ontario, Belec attended Timmins High School and later played four years with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs. He was drafted by the Argos in 1954 but was given to Montreal as part of an an earlier deal involving Al Dekdebrun. Belec joined the Alouettes in 1954 and served as a workhouse fullback and safety for three years during the peak of the Etcheverry aerial attack era. In his rookie year, Alex Webster was the primary back, and Belec had only 38 carries, 6th best on the team. The following year he increased that number to 51 carries with an impressive 6.7 yard average. However, Belec suffered a serious shoulder injury in the eastern final against Toronto and sat out the Grey Cup game. Returning in 1956, Belec injured his other shoulder after only 4 carries and was forced to retire from football at age 26. Despite being limited in his ball carrying - after Webster left for the NFL Pat Abbruzzi became the featured back on the team - and sharing time with fellow Canadian Bill Bewley in the backfield, Belec was renowned for his toughness and effective blocking. He was able to score a touchdown in each of his years with the Alouettes, and also became known as an effective pass catcher in key situations.  In 1956, Belec received the Julien Trophy awarded by Le Droit, Ottawa’s French-language newspaper as the best French-Canadian athlete in Ontario and Western Quebec. Belec went to work in television as a sports commentator, while working in the insurance business. Belec stayed involved in sports later in life, as a member of Golf Quebec.

[Bio by Wes Cross]

Jacques Belec In Team Picture of 1956 Montreal Als - November 20, 1956