In 1948, he joined the Montreal Alouettes, where his 251-pound frame made him the biggest fullback in Canadian pro football.[2][3] Playing a full 12-game season he was selected as an All-Star at guard.[4] In 1949, he played another full sked, helping the Larks to their first ever Grey Cup championship.[5]
^Unfortunately, Reese did not get to play in the Grey Cup game. Though he played a full season and was "outstanding" in the playoffs, Canadian Rugby Union rules restricted the Alouettes to 5 import players, not the usual 7 under the Big Four rules. Both he and Chuck Anderson were forced to watch the game from the sidelines. See: Import Rule puts Bronco Reese, Chuck Anderson out of Football Playoffs by Vern DeGeer, The Montreal Gazette, November 15, 1949