Sep 18, 2008 - 1:03 PM
0 shoutsHAMILTON, Ontario (Ticker) -- Ron Lancaster, a Canadian Football League legend, has died. He was 69.
A spokesman for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats said Lancaster died Wednesday night.
Inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 1982, the former star quarterback and coach was diagnosed with lung cancer in early August and had been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy to treat the disease.
"Our league has lost its 'little general.' And our country has lost a giant of a man," CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said.
Lancaster had been working as a color analyst on Hamilton Tiger-Cats radio broadcasts this season before receiving the diagnosis.
Over his illustrious 19-year career which started with the Ottawa Roughriders in 1960, Lancaster threw for 50,535 yards and 333 touchdowns. He was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 1970 and 1976.
Lancaster also had a lengthy coaching career with Saskatchewan, Edmonton and Hamilton, winning two Grey Cups.
"Ron Lancaster is deeply loved across Canada, as a CFL player, coach, broadcaster and mentor, but most of all as a true friend," Cohon said. "His career spanned eras, bridged west and east, and delighted our fans. But his life transcended sport, because the young man who came here from Pennsylvania grew into a true Canadian hero - a role model who often towered above the rest, and yet remained resolutely down to earth, at the same time.
"Our hearts and thoughts are with his wife, Bev, three children Lana, Rob and Bob and his four grandchildren."
