CFL Loses a Legend: Ron Lancaster Dies of Cancer

The CFL suffered another terrible blow Thursday as legendaryquarterback, broadcaster, and head coach Ron Lancaster lost a courageous battle with lung cancer.  The little general was diagnosed with the disease for the second time in August but couldn't beat it this time around.  The CFL and Canada has lost a friend, a leader, a hero, and a very close member of their family.

A Pennsylvania native, Ron Lancaster came to Canada in 1960 as he split quarterbacking duties with another legendary quarterback in Russ Jackson and together they won the grey cup in Lancaster's rookie year.  Two years later he was traded to Saskatchewan and it was there where the legend of the "little general" began. 

Lancaster made an immediate impact with the Riders and combined with running great George Reed helped Saskatchewan win they're first grey cup in 1966.  With Lancaster at the helm the Riders made the playoffs 14 years in a row making it to the grey cup five times and winning it once in '66. 

He was twice named outstanding player in 1970 and '76 while also being named an all- Canadian in 1970, '73, '75, and '76.  As a player Lancaster's stats speak for themselves, he is second all-time in pass completions with 3,384 for an incredible 50,535 yards. 

Following an incredible playing career the little general made an immediate switch to the sidelines coaching the Riders for two seasons, before being let go.  He later became a broadcaster along side the late Don Whitman on CBC, as they together brought a unique insight to the game and a unique way to call a football game.  Together Whitman and Lancaster became the quintessential voice of the CFL. 

In 1991 Lancaster was named head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos and two years later brought them a grey cup, his first as a head coach.  In the summer of 1997 Lancaster joined the Hamilton Tiger-cats and immediately turned a football team that was in dead last into grey cup contenders leading them to the Grey cup in his first season as coach before winning the cup in 1999. 

Friends of Lancaster remember the little general fondly. "He wasn't just a coach, he was a golf partner and a guy you could talk about anything with.  He used to send me jokes on my email.  It's definitely like losing a family member" said former quarterback Danny McManus.

"Ronnie was one of the greatest football players and even more important, one of the greatest human beings I have had the privilege to know," said Riders President/CEO Jim Hopson in a statement. "His loss will be deeply felt in Saskatchewan and across the nation as Ron touched so many people through his playing, coaching and commentator work.

Ron Lancaster leaves this world as a true icon and one of the most lovable and respectable men the game has ever seen.  As a player,coach, or broadcaster Ron Lancaster was the most loved and adored human beings in the CFL. 

Lancaster's life can be summed it in one word: winner. That what he was and that's what he demanded and produced out of all those around him. Ron is survived by his wife Bev, his three children Lana, Ron Jr., and Bob, and his four grandchildren. He was 69.