George McGowan
Encyclopedia
George McGowan was an American-born football player for the Edmonton Eskimos
of the Canadian Football League
(CFL) where he played for eight seasons from 1971–1978. During his career with the Eskimos, he set CFL league records for most catches in a game (15) and most catches in a season (98) and won two Grey Cup
s before his career was cut short by knee injuries. McGowan was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
in 2003.
on March 10, 1948, he grew up Glendale, California
. McGowan attended University of Kansas
and played for the Jayhawks for two years. In 1968 he had great success as a receiver, with 32 receptions for 592 yards and five touchdowns. In 1969 he was moved to defensive back, and was less impressive.
It took McGowan several training camps (one with the Atlanta Falcons
in the NFL) and a couple of years until he ended up in Edmonton
as a receiver.
. In his first year, 1971, he caught 49 passes for 827 yards, and 54 for 1015 yards the next season. 1973 was one of his greatest years, and his 81 catches for 1,123 yards won him the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award
.
An injury limited his performance to 8 receptions in 1974, but McGowan provided the comeback story of the next year, catching a then record 98 passes for 1,472 yards. In his last three season injuries steadily limited his effectiveness, and he caught 60, 40 and 34 passes during that time.
His career totals were 424 receptions for 6,356 yards (14.9 yard average) and 42 touchdowns. He was an all star 3 times and played in 5 Grey Cup
games, winning two. He also caught a then record 15 passes in the September 3, 1973 game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders
.
George McGowan was always considered the equal of the great receivers of his day, and was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
in 2003.
His former head coach, Ray Jauch
, recalled, "George ran patterns just like they were drawn up in the playbook. He'd get to the correct spot and catch the ball. And although he didn't possess great speed, his quickness allowed him to break the odd long one. He could run with almost anyone for the first 30 or 40 yards." He is remembered for his hand-eye coordination and for catching as well in a crowd as in the open.
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
of the Canadian Football League
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....
(CFL) where he played for eight seasons from 1971–1978. During his career with the Eskimos, he set CFL league records for most catches in a game (15) and most catches in a season (98) and won two Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
s before his career was cut short by knee injuries. McGowan was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Canadian Football Hall of Fame
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates great achievements in Canadian football. It is an open to the public institution. It includes displays about the Canadian Football League, Canadian university football and Canadian...
in 2003.
Early career
Born in Bethesda, MarylandBethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
on March 10, 1948, he grew up Glendale, California
Glendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
. McGowan attended University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
and played for the Jayhawks for two years. In 1968 he had great success as a receiver, with 32 receptions for 592 yards and five touchdowns. In 1969 he was moved to defensive back, and was less impressive.
It took McGowan several training camps (one with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the NFL) and a couple of years until he ended up in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
as a receiver.
CFL career
He would play 8 seasons in EdmontonEdmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
. In his first year, 1971, he caught 49 passes for 827 yards, and 54 for 1015 yards the next season. 1973 was one of his greatest years, and his 81 catches for 1,123 yards won him the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award
CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award
The Most Outstanding Player Award is annually awarded to the best player in the Canadian Football League. The Most Outstanding Player award can be compared to the National Football League's Most Valuable Player, otherwise known as the "MVP" award...
.
An injury limited his performance to 8 receptions in 1974, but McGowan provided the comeback story of the next year, catching a then record 98 passes for 1,472 yards. In his last three season injuries steadily limited his effectiveness, and he caught 60, 40 and 34 passes during that time.
His career totals were 424 receptions for 6,356 yards (14.9 yard average) and 42 touchdowns. He was an all star 3 times and played in 5 Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
games, winning two. He also caught a then record 15 passes in the September 3, 1973 game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
.
George McGowan was always considered the equal of the great receivers of his day, and was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Canadian Football Hall of Fame
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates great achievements in Canadian football. It is an open to the public institution. It includes displays about the Canadian Football League, Canadian university football and Canadian...
in 2003.
His former head coach, Ray Jauch
Ray Jauch
Ray Jauch was a coach in the Canadian Football League, USFL, and the Arena Football League.A star high school athlete, Jauch played running back for the 1958 National Champion University of Iowa Hawkeyes, leading the nation in yards per carry. He played in the 1959 Rose Bowl against California...
, recalled, "George ran patterns just like they were drawn up in the playbook. He'd get to the correct spot and catch the ball. And although he didn't possess great speed, his quickness allowed him to break the odd long one. He could run with almost anyone for the first 30 or 40 yards." He is remembered for his hand-eye coordination and for catching as well in a crowd as in the open.
See also
- CFL quarterback Tom WilkinsonTom Wilkinson (football player)Tom Wilkinson was a football quarterback for several teams in the Canadian Football League.He was born in Iowa on January 4, 1943 but moved to Wyoming with his parents in 1945. Tom Wilkinson played high school football in the small town of Greybull, Wyoming. He is the second of three professional...
- CFL quarterback Bruce LemmermanBruce LemmermanBruce Lemmerman is a former professional American football player. He was a backup quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons in 1968 and 1969. He later played in the Canadian Football League for the Edmonton Eskimos....
- CFL receiver Tony GabrielTony GabrielTony Gabriel is a former professional Canadian football pass receiver who played in the Canadian Football League from 1971 to 1981. He played for both the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa Rough Riders...
, 1978 Schenley Award, CFL's Most Outstanding Player