# Ted Gerela > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ted_Gerela > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ted_Gerela.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Gerela > Source revision: 1350488137 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Canadian gridiron football player (1944–2020)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox CFL biography | name = Ted Gerela | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = March 12, 1944 | birth_place = [Sarrail](/source/Athabasca_County), [Alberta](/source/Alberta), Canada | death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|7|16|1944|3|12}} | death_place = [Chilliwack, British Columbia](/source/Chilliwack%2C_British_Columbia), Canada | team = | number = | status = | position1 = [Kicker](/source/placekicker) | height_ft = | height_in = | weight_lb = | college = [Washington State University](/source/Washington_State_University) | playing_years1 = 1967–1973 | playing_team1 = [British Columbia Lions](/source/British_Columbia_Lions) | career_highlights = * [Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy](/source/Dr._Beattie_Martin_Trophy) (1967) * [Dave Dryburgh Memorial Trophy](/source/Dave_Dryburgh_Memorial_Trophy) (1968) }} '''Theodore Gerela''' (March 12, 1944 – July 16, 2020) was a kicker in the [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League) (CFL). ==Life== Gerela, a graduate of [Washington State University](/source/Washington_State_University), joined the [British Columbia Lions](/source/British_Columbia_Lions) in 1967 and played with them for 7 seasons. Though he was a versatile player (rushing 16 times, catching 13 passes, and making 2 interceptions, as well as punting one season), he was unique in that he was primarily a kicking specialist. Previously, most kickers played another primary position. While not accurate by later standards (he only made 123 of 271 field goal attempts), he had a strong leg and regularly made field goals of 50-plus yards.[http://www.cflapedia.com/Players/g/gerela_ted.htm] CFLAPEDIA entry: Ted Gerela He won the [Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy](/source/Dr._Beattie_Martin_Trophy) as the best rookie in the Western Conference in 1967. Most notably, in 1968, he hit 30 field goals, which was a record for any professional league. He also won the conference scoring title, ushering in the era of the kicking specialist. All-Star selections were not made for kickers during his career. As of 2011, his 570 points were still the 3rd highest in the Lions' history.'''2010 BC Lions Media Guide''' Gerela came from a particularly gifted family. His brothers were also professional kickers; [Roy Gerela](/source/Roy_Gerela) with the [Super Bowl](/source/Super_Bowl) champion [Pittsburgh Steelers](/source/Pittsburgh_Steelers) and [Metro Gerela](/source/Metro_Gerela) briefly with the [Montreal Alouettes](/source/Montreal_Alouettes) (Metro is enshrined in the ''Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame''.) In 1993, his son, Ted Gerela, was drafted in the 7th round of the [1993 CFL draft](/source/1993_CFL_draft) by the BC Lions as a linebacker from [Rocky Mountain College](/source/Rocky_Mountain_College). Gerala died on July 16, 2020, from cancer.{{cite web| url = https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/chilliwack-bc/theodore-gerela-9264545| title = Theodore GERELA Obituary - Chilliwack, BC}} {{cite web |url=https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/national-sports/former-bc-lions-kicker-ted-gerela-passes-away-at-the-age-of-76-2579614 |title=Former B.C. Lions kicker Ted Gerela passes away at the age of 76 |date=July 21, 2020 |accessdate=July 21, 2020 }} ==References== {{reflist}} {{Martin Rookie}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Gerela, Ted}} Category:1944 births Category:2020 deaths Category:Canadian football placekickers Category:Players of Canadian football from Alberta Category:BC Lions players Category:Washington State Cougars football players Category:Canadian Football League Rookie of the Year Award winners Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ted Gerela](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Gerela) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Gerela?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.