THE CANADIAN PRESS
HAMILTON - The CFL has lost one of its legends.
Canadian Football Hall of Famer Ron Lancaster has died. He was 69. A Hamilton Tiger-Cats spokesman says he died Wednesday night. The former star quarterback and coach was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this summer and had been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy to treat the disease.
He had been working as a colour analyst on Hamilton Tiger-Cats radio broadcasts this season before receiving the diagnosis. He was also serving as the Ticats senior adviser to organizational development
"Our league has lost its 'little general'. And our country has lost a giant of a man," said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon.
"Ron Lancaster is deeply loved across Canada, as a CFL player, coach, broadcaster and mentor, but most of all as a true friend. 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.”
Lancaster, a native of Fairchance, Pa., began his illustrious CFL career in 1960 with the Ottawa Rough Riders. He was dealt to Saskatchewan in 1963, spending 16 years there and leading the Roughriders to their first-ever Grey Cup title in 1966, which came against Ottawa.
He captured the Schenley Award as the CFL's outstanding player in 1970 and '76.
Lancaster became Saskatchewan's head coach immediately after the 1978 season but was let go after consecutive 2-14 seasons.
Lancaster then joined the CBC, where he worked as a colour analyst for the network's CFL broadcasts. He also served as a basketball colour commentator at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.
Lancaster returned to football in 1991 as the Edmonton Eskimos head coach. He spent seven seasons there, winning a Grey Cup in 1993.
Lancaster became the 17th head coach in Ticats' history on Nov. 26, 1997.
He served as the club's coach from 1998 to 2003, leading the Ticats to Grey Cup appearances in 1998 and '99, winning the latter.
He returned to the sidelines as Hamilton's interim head coach in '06 after Greg Marshall was fired.
Lancaster's 142 regular-season wins place him fifth on the CFL's career list.
Popular and respected in CFL circles for his integrity and up-front demeanour, Lancaster was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.
He is survived by his wife Bev, three children Lana, Ron and Bob and his four grandchildren.
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Lancaster began his CFL career with the Ottawa Roughriders in 1960 before being dealt to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1963. Over the course of his illustrious 19-year playing career, Lancaster completed 3,384 passes for 50,535 yards and 333 touchdowns and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 1970 and 1976.
After spending two seasons as as a player-coach, Lancaster served another two seasons as Saskatchewan’s head coach beginning in 1978.
Following a stint as a broadcaster on CBC, Lancaster returned to the coaching ranks in 1991 with the Edmonton Eskimos, a position he held for eight years before becoming the 17th head coach in Ticats history in 1997. He earned the CFL’s Coach of the Year award and led the Ticats to their most recent Grey Cup in 1999.
Lancaster was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.
He is survived by his wife, Bev, and three children Lana, Rob and Bob. He was 69-years old.
About the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL) with a rich 139-year history, which includes 43 Canadian Football Hall of Famers and 15 Grey Cup Championships. For more information log onto www.ticats.ca
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