A. J. Gass

Who is A. J. Gass?

A.J. Gass is a former Canadian football linebacker. He played his entire 10-year professional career with the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos.

Gass attended Servite High School and was the defensive MVP of the Sunset League, All CIF Southern Section and All State defensive back in 1992. Gass attended Fresno State University and was an all-conference first-team linebacker in 1996 and 1997, leading the conference in tackles in 1996 with 150.

Gass went undrafted in the National Football League and, on May 21, 1998, signed with the Eskimos as a free agent. Gass appeared in nine games in the 1998 CFL season, and soon established himself as a key member of the Eskimos' lineup. However, Gass battled a series of career-threatening injuries. In 2000, a ruptured artery in his hand sidelined Gass for 11 weeks. In 2001, 11 games into the season, Gass tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus and required full reconstructive surgery. He battled back for his starting middle linebacker job in 2002, but in game 15 he tore the same ligaments in his other knee. Once again, Gass battled back again to start the 2003 season with braces on both knees. He went on to win his first championship that season, the 91st Grey Cup with the Eskimos. In 2005, Gass was a key cog in the Eskimos' victory in the 93rd Grey Cup.