Cookie Gilchrist was one of the best two way players in the history of the CFL.  He was a big bruising All-Star fullback and an All-Star linebacker. There was very ltitle Cilchrist could not do as he ran the ball, caught passes, returned kickoffs, played defense, handled kickoffs and plackekicking.  Gilchrist first came to Canada to play in the Ontario Rugby Football Union (ORFU) which was a rival to the East or Big Four as it was known then. Gilchrist played with the Sarnia Imperials in 1954 and the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchman in 1955.  In 1956, Cilchrist joined he Hamilton Tiger-Cats where he played for two seasons, picking up 832 and 958 yards rushing in those two seasons.  In 1958, Gilchrist moved West to play one in Saskatchewan where he had his best season rushing with 1254 yards.  Gilchrist returned to the East in 1959 and played three seasons for the Toronto Argos.  He led the East in scoring in both 1959 and 1960 while teamng with HOF running back Dick Shatto to give the Argos an explosive 1-2 punch at running back.  With Shato in the backfield, Gilchrist didn't see the ball as often, but he 87 carries for 496 yards in in 1959 and 88 carries for 662 yards in 1960 (a 7.5 yard average).  In 1961, Gilchrist had 105 carries for 709 yards.  In his six years in the CFL, Gilchrist was a divisional All-Star at running back five consecutive years from 1956 to 1960 (there were no All-Canadians selected in those years) and was also an Eastern All-Star at linebacker in 1960.  In his CFL career, Gilcrist racked up 4911 yards rusghing.  After 1961, Gilchrist signed with the Buffalo Bills of the AFL and played six seasons with Buffalo, Miami and Denver.  In those six seasons, Gilchrist had another 4293 yards rushing.  Cookie Gilchrist is the only player to have turned down his election to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, citing his poor treatment, including racism, while playing in Canada.  Cookie Gilchirst passed away from cancer on January 10, 2011.

Complete AFL Stats for Cookie Gilchrist

Wikipedia Article on Cookie Gilchrist

Gilchrist sold to Saskatchewan by Hamilton - May 24, 1958

Cookie Gilchrist Dies at 75 After Battle With Cancer

The East did not record fumbles in the statistics during these years.