Gagnon, a four-year letterman from 1970-73, was an NAIA Honorable Mention All-America running back in 1972 and the first Bulldog to play in the National Football League. A team captain and All-GLIAC First Team honoree in 1973, Gagnon was chosen as the NAIA National Back-of-the-Week during that season for scoring five touchdowns against Illinois-Chicago. He is tied for sixth in career scoring at Ferris with 162 points and ranks seventh in career rushing with 2,058 yards and an average of 6.0 yards per carry. Gagnon ranks eighth in single-season Bulldog rushing with his 1,011 yards in 1972. He played two seasons as a running back with the Chicago Bears and was captain of the Bears' special teams in 1974. He made the Tampa Bay Bucs roster in 1976 until he was injured. Gagnon is now self-employed in pool construction and general repairs.