Throwback Thursday: A.J. Gass

For a decade, he was known as ‘The Toughest Man In The CFL.’ 

A 200-pound player is small as linebackers and linemen go and that’s why for years A.J. Gass was told the CFL was invented for someone of his size and ability. Rich Stubler and Jeff Tedford were two coaches who crossed his path and talked to him about the CFL. Gass didn’t even wait for the NFL draft to sign with the Eskimos. 

Born in Bellflower, California and raised down the road in Corona, Gass chose Fresno State in college. He led the WAC in tackles in winning All-Conference first-team honours in 1996 and 1997. But he missed his last three games because of a ruptured artery in his hand. 

Having his season interrupted by injuries would be his story throughout a career that ran from 1998 to 2007. 

Gass ended up suffering another ruptured artery injury in the same hand in Edmonton he’d received at Fresno State. Torn cartilage. Two broken ribs. A dislocated shoulder. Both a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. Then he tore up his other knee. That would have ended most careers. But A.J. Gass battled back and had the payoff of winning the Grey Cup in 2003 and 2005. 

He ended up playing 131 games, recording 440 defensive tackles, 92 special teams tackles, 13 pass knockdowns, 12 quarterback sacks, eight forced fumbles, 22 tackles for losses, 10 fumble returns and three interceptions. 

Gass spend the 2008 season as an Eskimos assistant coach. 

So what ever happened to A.J. Gass? 

‘The Toughest Player in the CFL’ returned to his old high school, Servite, in Southern California as an assistant coach and was named head coach in 2013. But he moved to Bakersfield where he’s now the head coach at a private catholic school. 

Coaching was always the plan. 

“When I left Edmonton I moved back to Fresno to finish my degree so I had my teaching credential.” 

High school appealed to him. 

“The coaching business is pretty unstable. I have two kids and I’m not looking to bounce around. My daughter is eight and my son is five. I’m in a position to help these kids develop into men, which is probably what I’m best at.” 

Gass, who married a Canadian, said his wife has both kids in hockey in the city where the Oilers AHL franchise relocated this year. 

Gass said all his injuries are catching up to him at this stage of his life. 

“I’m starting to feel every surgery, every bump and every bruise. But I’m at the point now where it’s pretty routine. I can definitely feel 10 years of professional football every morning. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

“All the things I endured was the price I paid to be a champion and that’s something I’m really proud of. It was hard and it was tough but all the accomplishments and lessons that I learned I wouldn’t trade for the world. 

“I’d like people to know how thankful I am for the opportunity to have been a part of the Eskimos organization for 11 years. The type of chemistry and relationship I want my own players to have is the stuff we did in the Edmonton locker room. It was a very special place to be. It’s things I’m still using today as far as the brotherhood goes. I’m honoured to still be in the memory of some of those fans.”