Gord Rowland was born and grew up in Montreal where he played soccer for Montreal Stelco and football for the Montreal Orfuns. In 1952, he was a member of the Stelco team that came to Winnipeg and won the Canadian Senior Men’s Soccer Championship with victories over Winnipeg Scottish and New Westminster Royals. The following year, Rowland was invited to return to Winnipeg to tryout with the Blue Bombers. Things did not work out and head coach George Trafton let Rowland go. But in 1954, he was invited back by rookie Bomber head coach Al Sherman and the rest, as they say, is history.

Rowland played 10 years for the Blue Bombers as a defensive back and punt returner, retiring at the end of the 1963 season with 4 Grey Cup rings and 5 selections to the Canadian Football League All-Star Team. He was 2nd on the all time Bomber list for punt returns and punt return yardage, and his 31 interceptions were 2nd best in Bomber history. During the 1958 season, Rowland was the western finalist for the Schenley Award as best Canadian in the CFL.

After his outstanding player career, Rowland got into coaching. In 1968, 1969, and 1970, he was an assistant coach with the University of Manitoba Bisons, helping them to a couple of C.I.A.U. Championships. He went on to spend many years coaching in the minor football ranks.

In summing up his 10 years with the Bombers Gord Rowland said “I was very fortunate to play with a bunch of great guys and winners, have a hell of a lot of fun, and build friendships with many of those players that I still enjoy today.” He retired in 1993 after 32 years with the Glidden Paint Company. He enjoys the cottage life and playing golf and said he has been blessed to enjoy a great life.