Although he gained great fame as pro wrestler, Gene professional sports career began with the Edmonton Eskimos. Born in Edmonton, where his mother later became a city councilor, Gene starred at both wrestling and football at St. Joseph’s High School. He became one of the original 1949 Eskimos line-up when recruited by Annis Stukus and after playing one year in the WIFU, left to attend the University of Arizona on a football scholarship. Gene returned to the Eskimos in 1952 and despite suffering a torn kneecap in August 1952, he played one more year for Edmonton before turning to full time wrestling.  He became internationally famous and won the world championship three straight years beginning in 1966, and billing himself as “Canada’s Greatest Athlete”.. At 6’4” and 270 lbs. he was nicknamed “Big Thunder” he was almost always cast in the villain’s role. He retired from wrestling in the 1992. Gene died at his home  in Blaine Washington on April 12, 2010 of brain cancer.

No games played stats were kept in the West until 1964.