Gene Roberts was born in Kansas City and started his college career at Kasnas before going to the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga which most likely explains his "Choo Choo" nickname. Roberts played played four years in the NFL (1947-1950) with the New York Giants, ammassing a total of 1904 yards rushing. Roberts came to Canada in 1951, playing one year with the Montreal Alouettes before moving on to play three seasons in Ottawa (1952-54). Roberts was released and retired in July of 1955 before the season started, but returned to the Rough Riders in October as an assistant coach when there was a shake-up on the coachng staff and one assistant coach was fired and another one resigned. Roberts won a pair of East All-Star selections at running back in 1952 and 1953 (there were no CFL All-Stars until 1962). Prior to 1954 in the East (IRFU), only scoring stats were kept, so Roberts' stats are incomplete. Roberts was sixth in scoring in the East in both 1951 and 1952 and led the East in scoring in 1953 with 88 points. Gene Roberts passed away on July 6, 2009.

Gene Roberts In Wikipedia

NFL Stats For Gene Roberts

Roberts Signs With Alouettes - July 25, 1951

Roberts Signs With Ottawa - July 15, 1952

Gene Roberts Named Big Four All-Star - November 22, 1952

Choo Choo Roberts Back To Ottawa; 3 Players Fired

Mocs Legend Gene Roberts Passes