REGINA – Gene Makowsky, a two-time winner of the CFL’s outstanding lineman award, announced his retirement Friday after 17 seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“It’s never an easy decision to make and it was extremely difficult for me,” Makowsky said in a statement. “However I felt that this is the best decision to make for my family, my career and my team.”
Makowsky’s decision wasn’t a big surprise. In November, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly as a member of the Saskatchewan Party.
Makowsky, 38, appeared in a club-record 284 games with the Riders after being selected in the second round, 23rd overall, in the 1995 CFL Canadian college draft. The Saskatoon native, who played at the University of Saskatchewan, played in 16 playoff games and four Grey Cups with the Riders.
The five-time league all-star won a championship ring in 2007. Makowsky was the CFL’s top lineman in 2004 and ’05.
“Geno will go down as one of the greatest players in CFL history,” said Riders assistant GM Jeremy O’Day, a former teammate of Makowsky’s. “His toughness, work ethic, dedication and character were unmatched.
“It was an honour to have played with Geno and he made me a better player, a better person and I will be forever grateful for the time we spent as teammates.”
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