Born in Windsor, Jerry Kauric, a graduate of Kennedy High School, is one of the few local football players who made it to the National Football League (NFL).

Kauric honed his kicking talents with the Windsor AKO Fratmen in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL). He would play four seasons for the Fratmen under coach Mike Morencie.

Although initially the property of the Canadian Football League’s Ottawa Rough Riders because he played in Windsor, following his release Kauric was immediately signed by the Edmonton Eskimos. It was in Kauric’s first season with the Eskimos in 1987 that he achieved his greatest accomplishment. In the Canadian Football League (CFL) championship game he kicked the winning field goal from 49 yards out in the final seconds to give Edmonton a 38-36 win over the Toronto Argonauts, clinching the 75th Grey Cup for the Eskies.

Kauric spent three more seasons with Edmonton, who had hoped to sign him to a long-term deal. He was a CFL West All-Star in 1988.

In 1990 he opted to try his luck with the NFL, spending his only season with the league’s Cleveland Browns. Although winning just three games that year, two came on game-winning kicks by Kauric. He went to camp with the Detroit Lions the following year, but was released after breaking his foot during practice.

Returning to play with the Eskimos in 1991 and the Calgary Stampeders later that season, he spent some time with the Los Angeles Rams in 1992 and played with the World Football League’s Ohio Glory before retiring in 1994.

The Windsor/Essex Sports Hall of Fame is honoured to welcome Jerry Kauric into his deserved place in the Athlete category.