Ted Gerela
Encyclopedia
Ted Gerela is a former award winning kicker in the Canadian Football League
.
Gerela, a graduate of Washington State University
joined the British Columbia Lions
in 1967 and played with them for 7 seasons. Though he was a versatile player (rushing 16 times, catching 13 passes and making 2 interceptions, as well as punting one season) he was unique in that he was primarily a kicking specialist. Previously, most kickers played another primary position. While not accurate by later standards (he only made 123 of 271 field goal attempts) he had a strong leg and regularly made field goals of 50 plus yards. He won the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy
as best rookie in the Western Conference in 1967.
Most notably, in 1968 he hit 30 field goals, which was a record for any professional league. He also won the conference scoring title, ushering in the era of the kicking specialist. All-Star selections were not made for kickers during his career. As of 2011, his 570 points was still 3rd highest in Lions history.
Gerela came from a particularly gifted family. His brothers were also professional kickers; Roy Gerela
with the Super Bowl
champion Pittsburgh Steelers
and Metro Gerela
briefly with the Montreal Alouettes
(Metro is enshrined in the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame.) In 1993, his nephew Ted Gerela was drafted in the 7th round of the 1993 CFL Draft
by the BC Lions as a linebacker from Rocky Mountain College
.
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
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Gerela, a graduate of Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
joined the British Columbia Lions
British Columbia Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
in 1967 and played with them for 7 seasons. Though he was a versatile player (rushing 16 times, catching 13 passes and making 2 interceptions, as well as punting one season) he was unique in that he was primarily a kicking specialist. Previously, most kickers played another primary position. While not accurate by later standards (he only made 123 of 271 field goal attempts) he had a strong leg and regularly made field goals of 50 plus yards. He won the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy
Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy
The Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy is a Canadian Football League award, given to the most outstanding Canadian player in the West Division. Each team nominates a player for this award, from which the winner is chosen...
as best rookie in the Western Conference in 1967.
Most notably, in 1968 he hit 30 field goals, which was a record for any professional league. He also won the conference scoring title, ushering in the era of the kicking specialist. All-Star selections were not made for kickers during his career. As of 2011, his 570 points was still 3rd highest in Lions history.
Gerela came from a particularly gifted family. His brothers were also professional kickers; Roy Gerela
Roy Gerela
Roy Gerela is a former American football placekicker best known for his years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, with whom he won three Super Bowl rings....
with the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
champion Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and Metro Gerela
Metro Gerela
Metro Gerela is a Canadian soccer coach and former professional Soccer player in Vancouver and British Columbia.In 1953, during the first Vancouver Sun Tournament of Champions played in Callister Park, Gerela was chosen to be the first "Sun Soccer Boy".On October 17, 1964, Gerela led the New...
briefly with the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
(Metro is enshrined in the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame.) In 1993, his nephew Ted Gerela was drafted in the 7th round of the 1993 CFL Draft
1993 CFL Draft
The 1993 CFL Draft saw the British Columbia Lions have the first overall draft pick while the Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders drafted last in the first round. This draft consisted of only seven rounds and 54 selections, which made it smaller than many of its predecessors.-1st Round:1...
by the BC Lions as a linebacker from Rocky Mountain College
Rocky Mountain College
Rocky Mountain College , located in Billings, Montana, is a private comprehensive college offering more than 25 liberal arts- and professionally oriented majors. In fall 2009, the college had 894 enrolled students...
.