Professional Football Player. For thirteen seasons (1951 to 1952 and 1954 to 1964), he played at the defensive end, defensive tackle, middle guard and offensive tackle positions in the Canadian and National Football League with the Ottawa Rough Riders and Cleveland Browns. Raised in West Virginia, he made his mark on the football field at Weir High School, where he achieved all-State honors. He continued his athletic excellence on the collegiate level at the University of Kentucky, where he flourished under the legendary Paul 'Bear' Bryant. In 1950, Gain earned the Outland Trophy as the Nation's Best interior Lineman and was a contributor to the Wildcats' capturing of the Sugar Bowl title for the 1950 season. Additionally, he achieved All-American honors twice. Selected by the Green Bay Packers as the fifth overall pick during the 1951 NFL Draft, he opted to play in the CFL with Ottawa and experienced a Grey Cup title with the Rough Riders (1951). He was signed by the Cleveland Browns and played one season (1952), prior to serving with the United States Air Force during the Korean War. After resuming his career, he contributed to three NFL Championship teams with the Browns (1954, 1955 and 1964). Individually, he earned Pro-Bowl honors five-times during his career. Gain totaled 125 regular season games. After retiring from football, he worked as a salesman. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980 and was enshrined in the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame as a charter member in 2005.
Professional Football Player. For thirteen seasons (1951 to 1952 and 1954 to 1964), he played at the defensive end, defensive tackle, middle guard and offensive tackle positions in the Canadian and National Football League with the Ottawa Rough Riders and Cleveland Browns. Raised in West Virginia, he made his mark on the football field at Weir High School, where he achieved all-State honors. He continued his athletic excellence on the collegiate level at the University of Kentucky, where he flourished under the legendary Paul 'Bear' Bryant. In 1950, Gain earned the Outland Trophy as the Nation's Best interior Lineman and was a contributor to the Wildcats' capturing of the Sugar Bowl title for the 1950 season. Additionally, he achieved All-American honors twice. Selected by the Green Bay Packers as the fifth overall pick during the 1951 NFL Draft, he opted to play in the CFL with Ottawa and experienced a Grey Cup title with the Rough Riders (1951). He was signed by the Cleveland Browns and played one season (1952), prior to serving with the United States Air Force during the Korean War. After resuming his career, he contributed to three NFL Championship teams with the Browns (1954, 1955 and 1964). Individually, he earned Pro-Bowl honors five-times during his career. Gain totaled 125 regular season games. After retiring from football, he worked as a salesman. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980 and was enshrined in the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame as a charter member in 2005.
Bio by: C.S.
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