Gene Makowsky (born April 17, 1973) is a former Canadian politician and former Canadian football offensive lineman who was a member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly representing the riding of Regina Gardiner Park from 2016 until 2024 and prior to that represented the riding of Regina Dewdney.

Gene Makowsky
Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly
for Regina Gardiner Park
Regina Dewdney (2011-2016)
In office
November 7, 2011 – October 1, 2024
Preceded byKevin Yates
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Personal details
Born (1973-04-17) April 17, 1973 (age 51)
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Political partySaskatchewan Party
ResidenceRegina, Saskatchewan
Alma materUniversity of Saskatchewan
OccupationProfessional athlete
Football career
Career information
StatusRetired
CFL statusNational
Position(s)G, OT
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight264 lb (120 kg)
UniversitySaskatchewan
High schoolWalter Murray Collegiate
CFL draft1995, round: 2, pick: 23
Drafted bySaskatchewan Roughriders
Career history
As player
19952011Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star20042006, 2008, 2009
CFL West All-Star20042010
Career stats

Prior to his service in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan Makowsky played 17 seasons for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Early life

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Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Makowsky graduated from high school at Walter Murray Collegiate in 1991.

University of Saskatchewan

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During his 4 years at the University of Saskatchewan, Makowsky helped the U of S Huskies to two Hardy Cup Championships, as well as being named to the Canada West All Star team in 1994. He was selected 23rd overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 1995 CFL Draft.

CFL career

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Makowsky played 17 seasons in the CFL—all with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He earned the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award in 2004 and 2005 and was a finalist for the award in 2008. He was a 5 time CFL All Star and a West Division All Star for seven consecutive years (2004 through 2010). On August 5, 2011, Makowsky made history, playing in his 272nd game, surpassing Roger Aldag for most games played by a Saskatchewan Roughrider.[1]

After Saskatchewan defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2007 Grey Cup game, Makowsky was presented the Grey Cup by Commissioner Mark Cohon.

Makowsky retired from the CFL on February 17, 2012, after playing in 16 playoff games, 4 Grey Cup games, and a Saskatchewan Roughrider record 284 regular season games.[2] In 2015, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.[3]

Political career

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Makowsky was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in the 2011 provincial election, representing the constituency of Regina Dewdney.[4] He was re-elected in the 2016 provincial election in the redistributed electoral district of Regina Gardiner Park,[5] and was re-elected again in the 2020 election. Regina Gardiner Park was eliminated in 2024 general election and Makowski chose to stand in the newly redistributed Regina University, but lost to NDP candidate Sally Housser.

Makowsky is a member of the Saskatchewan Party.

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Makowsky, along with his then teammate Matt Dominguez, made a cameo appearance in the Corner Gas episode "Reader Pride".

Cabinet positions

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Saskatchewan provincial government of Scott Moe
Cabinet posts (3)
Predecessor Office Successor
Lori Carr Minister of Social Services
May 31, 2022–
Incumbent
Tina Beaudry-Mellor Minister of Advanced Education
November 9, 2020–May 31, 2022
Gordon Wyant
cont'd from Wall Ministry Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport
February 2, 2018–November 9, 2020
Laura Ross
Saskatchewan provincial government of Brad Wall
Cabinet post (1)
Predecessor Office Successor
Ken Cheveldayoff Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport
August 30, 2017–February 2, 2018
cont'd into Moe Ministry

References

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  1. ^ "Lions down Roughriders for first win of 2011". CFL.ca. August 6, 2011. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011.
  2. ^ "Rider great Gene Makowsky calls it a career - CFL.ca". CFL.ca. February 17, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "Dickenson, Makowsky lead 2015 Hall of Fame class - Article - TSN". tsn.ca. November 28, 2014.
  4. ^ McCormick, Murray (November 8, 2011). "Riders' Gene Makowsky weighing football options after Regina-Dewdney victory". Leader-Post. Postmedia Network. Archived from the original on November 10, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  5. ^ "Mr. Gene Makowsky". Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2016.