Coming out of Louisian State, George Brancato played one season in the NFL (1954) with the Chicago Cardinals before coming to the CFL in 1956 with the Montreal Alouettes. It was a time when with rosters increasing in size, teams were transitioning to separate offensive and defensive squatds, but Brancato was one of those players who could still go both ways. Offensive Brancato played both running back and Flanker and defensive back on deence. In that rookie season, Brancato had 213 yards rushing and caught 30 passes for 459 yards while recording one interception. The 30 catches was good enough for ninth in the East - a catagory in which Montreal receivers dominated with five of the top nine places going to the Als. Brancato moved to Ottawa for 1957 and at least statistically had his best season. Brancato caught only 25 passes, but they went for 776 yards and an amazing 31.0 yard average and five touchdowns. At the same time, Brancato's seven interceptions were the best in the East. Brancato's offensive numbers dipped after that as the Rough Riders used him more exclusively on defence, but he still had another 21 catches in 1958 and 12 in 1961. In 1958, Brancato had his second year with seven interceptions, this time good for second in the East and his six picks in 1960 was third best in the East. Brancato finished with 29 career interceptions though interestingly enough his only All-Star selection was in 1961 as an East All-Star (there were no CFL All-Stars until 1962) at defensive back when he had four interceptions, which was only his fourth highest season total. After hanging up his cleats as a player, Brancato became a highly successful coach. Brancato returned to Ottawa as an assistant coach to Jack Gotta in 1970 and then took over as head coach in 1974. Gotta reamained in that position through the 1984 season, compiling a record of 82 wins, -90 losses and 4 ties. Brancato got his first Grey Cup win as a player or coach in 1976 on the dramatic late touchdown by Tony Garbriel to beat Saskatchewan. Ottawa and Brancato returned to the Grey Cup again in 1981, but this time lost to the Edmonton Eskimo dynasty that won five consecutive Grey Cup from 1978 to 1982. It was, however, the closest game of the five with Ottawa losing by only three points, 26-23. After leaving Ottawa, Brancato spent two years as an assistnat coach with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders in 1985 and 1986. Following coaching stints with various teams in the Arena Football League, Brancato came back to the CFL as an assistant coach with Ottawa in 1993 and Shreveport in 1994. Brancato retired from coaching after the 1999 season.

NFL Stats for George Brancato

Wikiepedia Article on George Brancato

Alouettes Drop Brancato - October 16, 1956

Brancato In Team Picture of 1956 Montreal Als - November 20, 1956

Official games played stats were not kept in the East until 1960. The number for 1956 is unofficial and taken from the 2006 Montreal Mediat Guide.