LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Hal Patterson, a three-sport star at Kansas who spurned the Philadelphia Eagles to play in the Canadian Football League, has died. He was 79.
The University of Kansas announced his death in a statement Tuesday. No cause was given.
Patterson played football, baseball and basketball for the Jayhawks, and averaged 10.3 points while helping the 1952-53 team coached by Phog Allen reach the NCAA tournament title game.
He was drafted by the Eagles in 1954, but opted to play professionally in Canada, spending 14 seasons at wide receiver and defensive back for the Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His teams won three Grey Cups and Patterson was the CFL’s MVP in 1956.
