Gene Robillard

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Gene Robillard
No. 83[1]
PositionQuarterback
Personal information
Born(1929-01-15)January 15, 1929
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
DiedApril 24, 2007(2007-04-24) (aged 78)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High schoolTech (Ottawa)
UniversityMcGill (1948–1951)
Career history
1952Montreal Alouettes*
1954BC Lions
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career CFL statistics
Passing Comp16
Passing Att42
Passing Yards161
Stats at CFL.ca

Eugene Thomas Robillard (January 15, 1929 – April 24, 2007) was a Canadian professional football quarterback who played one season with the BC Lions of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU). He played CIS football at McGill University.

Early life

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Eugene Thomas Robillard was born on January 15, 1929, in Ottawa, Ontario.[2][1] He played football and hockey at Ottawa Technical High School in Ottawa.[1][3] He also played in Ottawa's Junior City Hockey League.[4]

University career

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Robillard played for the McGill Redmen of McGill University from 1948 to 1951 as a quarterback and halfback.[1][2] He earned all-star honors his senior year in 1951.[5] He also played three years of hockey at McGill.[6] Robillard graduated from McGill with a physical education degree in May 1952.[6]

Professional career

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In January 1952, The Ottawa Citizen reported that Robillard had likely signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU).[4] Although the Argonauts had not received the contract yet, team president Bob Moran stated he was "sure Robillard signed it last week.[4] Regardless, in April 1952, Robillard was selected by the Montreal Alouettes in the third round, with the ninth overall pick, of the 1952 IRFU college draft.[1][7] He officially signed with the Alouettes on May 28, 1952.[6] He was waived by the Alouettes in August 1952.[8]

Robillard then signed with the Ottawa Seconds of the Quebec Rugby Football Union as a halfback in August 1952.[8] He later signed with the BC Lions of the Western Interprovincial Football Union in 1954.[9] He was the third string quarterback behind John Mazur and Gerry Tuttle.[2] Robillard played in nine games, starting one, for the Lions during the 1954 season, completing 16 of 42 passes (38.1%) for 161 yards and six interceptions.[1]

Personal life

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Robillard's brother Matt Robillard played for the Ottawa Rough Riders of the IRFU in 1954.[10] Gene served in the Royal Canadian Air Force.[1] He was the head coach of the Ottawa Sooners of the Canadian Junior Football League in 1975.[11] He died on April 14, 2007, in Ottawa.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "GENE ROBILLARD". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Richards, Jack (September 3, 1954). "Canuck Q.B. Unsung Hero". The Vancouver Sun. p. 21. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Gene Robillard". CFLapedia. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Argos Sign Gene Robillard Despite Regina Advances". The Ottawa Citizen. The Canadian Press. January 30, 1952. p. 21. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  5. ^ "Als Sign McGill Star Backfielder". Star-Phoenix. The Canadian Press. June 2, 1952. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  6. ^ a b c "Robillard Signed by Alouettes". The Gazette. May 29, 1952. p. 17. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  7. ^ "1952 IRFU Draft". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Gene Robillard Takes Spot In Ottawa Seconds Backfield". The Ottawa Journal. August 30, 1952. p. 33. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Lions Dicker For Robillard". The Vancouver News-Herald. April 26, 1954. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  10. ^ "MATT ROBILLARD". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  11. ^ "Ottawa Sooners Head Coaching History". Ottawa Sooners. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
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