Mitchell Blair
Riderville.com

July 22nd, 1995 is a date Gene Makowsky remembers.

“The first game I started was in Birmingham at Legion Field,” Makowsky reminisced. ”It was so hot that I couldn’t believe it. I played left guard. I think we lost, but that’s the story. It’s interesting to think I started my career in the Canadian Football League with a game in the US.”

Fast forward 14 years and a bit later and Makowsky is ready to play his 247th game in a Rider uniform. It makes him number two overall in that category with the record not that far in the distance as Roger Aldag played 271 games in a Rider uniform in his distinguished career. Despite the fact that this Saturday’s game against the Toronto Argonauts will be a milestone occasion, the Saskatoon native isn’t putting any extra significance on it.

“It will be special if we get a win because that is what we are looking for,” Makowsky said. ”I treat every game as it’s a must win and to do your best each week. That’s all you can control. Anytime you are mentioned in the same sentence as Ron Lancaster it’s a huge honour. I’d rather have his record for most Grey Cup games, but you just keep playing, having fun and trying to stay in the lineup.”

How has Makowsky been able to stay in the lineup for all these years? He says it’s the passion, the desire and the love of the game that he has that has enabled him to keep up with guys that have gotten bigger and stronger over the years.

“Guys have gotten bigger and faster, but it’s all relative,” states Makowsky. “Its like the nuclear arms race, you’ve got to keep up and find a way to deal with those bigger and faster guys. It means you have to do a lot of things, but when you love the game the way I do, you find a way to keep playing at a high level.”

Head coach Ken Miller is amazed at Makowsky’s career, especially because of the position he plays where you can’t take a play off.

“His longevity is totally remarkable,” Miller said. “Seeing someone battle the way he does game after game is impressive. He is also a tremendous leader. He sets a great example with his work ethic and the professional way he handles himself. It’s a tough, tough position to play because of the violent contact they have on every snap. He has been able to do it and as you know, he has done it without having to spend much time on the injury list.”

When Makowsky does reflect back on his 15 years as a member of the green and white, he says it shouldn’t be a secret as to what the highlight has been.

“No doubt about it, it was Grey Cup 2007,” Makowsky said with a smile crossing his face. “However, you know the second most favourite game for me is probably the game the week before when we beat B.C in the Western final. But yeah, hoisting that trophy is the number one memory.”

If Makowsky is to catch Aldag and set the record, he will have to stay off the injury list and play the remainder of this year, all of next and the first three games of 2010. It begs the question as to whether or not the 36-year-old wants to keep going for that long.

“That’s the thing about football, you never know when it might end,” said Makowsky. “I will just take it a game at a time and see what happens. If it doesn’t, than it wasn’t meant to be. I can’t really answer that. If I’m still enjoying the game and helping the team win and playing at a level where I can help the team win than I’ll keep going if they still want me.”

It’s safe to say that if Makowsky is still playing at the level he is now that the football team will still want him around.