 He played rugby football (a forerunner to Canadian football), joining the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1909 as a halfback, helping them win the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union title that year.He continued playing for the Rough Riders until 1913, leaving the team when he turned professional with the Senators.As Canadian football was strictly amateur at the time, Gerard would have been unable to continue in the sport if he became a professional athlete.