By Jamie Nye

Makowsky joins Roger Aldag in Roughriders history

Jul 27, 2011 | 5:02 PM

Gene Makowsky has seen a lot of things in his time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He's actually seen more than any other player in the history of the organization.

On Saturday he will tie Roger Aldag for first all-time on the Roughriders list of games played at 271 and will surpass the Roughriders legend a week later. The Roughriders selected Makowsky 23rd overall in the 1995 College Draft and the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon native has been a key member of the o-line ever since.

His current offensive line coach Steve Buratto remembers Makowsky's first season when he took on the Baltimore Stallions, where Buratto was the offensive coordinator. “He took on some pretty good football players and mentioned he had a really rugged day but he overcame that and got better and better.”

A long, great career

Not only has Makowsky had a long career in Saskatchewan but the improvement from his rookie season is reflected by his trophy case. Makowsky has one Grey Cup ring, he's a five time CFL All-Star, three-time West Division Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and two-time CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

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Makowsky has had many chances to call it a career but his love of football continues to drive him, “I think a great example was last week, going into hostile territory, and everybody played well, played hard and played as a team and came out with a victory and put a lot of hard work into it. When you win there's no feeling like it and I know it will be tough to replicate that when I'm done football.”

Well respected

After so many seasons and so many games played Makowsky is one of the most respected players in the Canadian Football League not only for his kind and gentle demeanour off the field but for his expertise on the field.

“My line whenever we played Gene was, 'he might be old enough to be your father but he'll still kick your ass,'” said head coach Greg Marshall after Wednesday's practice.

His quarterback Darian Durant definitely appreciates having one of the best linemen in CFL history protecting him on a daily basis, “He's everything you could ever ask for in an offensive lineman: The smarts, the physical ability, I mean you name it, he's done it.”

A dream come true

Makowsky says he's one of the luckiest men alive to be able to do what he loves with the team he grew up cheering for.

“Any time you're mentioned with Roger Aldag, you're doing something right and if I could measure up to him in any way than that's a good thing for myself.”

Makowsky's record breaking game will come on August 5th when the Roughriders take on the B.C. Lions in Vancouver.

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