Updated: Thu Sep. 18 2008 1:09:47 PM

The Canadian Press

HAMILTON — Ron Lancaster, a CFL legend known during his playing days as the Little General, has died. He was 69.

He died Wednesday night, a Hamilton Tiger-Cats spokesman said Thursday.

A former player, coach and team executive, Lancaster was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this summer and had been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy to treat the disease.

Lancaster, who survived bladder cancer in 2004, 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.

"As much as I love the game of football, there are some things more important than what happens on the field of play," he said in a letter to fans on the Tiger-Cat website in August in confirming the cancer.

Lancaster was born in Fairchance, Pa., but grew up in the blue collar steel town of Clairton. He excelled as a high school quarterback but due to his small stature was overlooked by the big U.S. colleges. He instead played for tiny Wittenburg University in Ohio and while he was ignored by the NFL, the CFL's Ottawa Roughriders gave him a shot.

His illustrious CFL career began in 1960 in Ottawa where he won a Grey Cup in his rookie year. After the 1962 season, the Rough Riders dealt him to Saskatchewan where he spent 16 years, leading the Roughriders to their first-ever Grey Cup title in 1966.

"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 release.

"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."

Known for his on-field smarts, Lancaster excelled in the pass-happy CFL and captured the Schenley Award as the CFL's outstanding player in 1970 and '76. He finished his 19-year playing career with 3,384 passes for 50,535 yards and 333 touchdowns.

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 and served as the club's coach from 1998 to 2003. He led the team 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.

During his heyday, Lancaster earned a reputation of being a player's coach. He'd often give his troops the lattitude to have fun, but demanded discipline and dedication on the field.

"Our league has lost its 'Little General,' and our country has lost a giant of a man," said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon in a statement.

"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."

His 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.

Lancaster is the third Hall of Famer to die in recent months. Earl (Earthquake) Lunsford died on Sept. 4 while B.C. Lions president Bob Ackles suffered a fatal heart attack in early July.

He is survived by his wife Bev, three children Lana, Ron and Bob and his four grandchildren.

Please Add Comments(27)

Rev. Randy Fiege
When I was a boy, 6 years old, I attended a Regina Roughriders game with my dad. Dad went to get some food and while he was away a ball came flying over the fence. I picked it up and handed to to Clyd Brock who asked me if I wanted to play catch. He picked me up over the fence and I played catch with Clyd Brock, Ron Lancaster and George Reed. To this day it is a very special memory of three very special men.

Rev. Randy Fiege

Nanook
Usually I don't get sentimental over people I've never met, but this gent was special. I'll miss him. Please name a stadium, or street after the LITTLE GENERAL.

Kory in Sask
Ron was one of the great players and coaches of the CFL and was very influential in the game. He will be missed. I know he left tons of great memories here in Regina and Saskatchewan from his time as a player and coach. Thanks for all that you gave to our great game!

R/H
So sad to hear that. Ron was a real player and will be missed.

Jim in Ottawa
Excellent coach. He will be missed

Dan
Oh Ron.....Rest in peace my good man.
Thank you for your many contributions on and off the field.

dd
#23 will always be #1 in the hearts of Rider Fans

don...northbay
Ron was a class act and will be sorely missed.

Mr. B.
Hard to believe he started his CFL career in 1960 playing for Ottawa, 48 years ago. He was an icon of the CFL as a player, coach, manager & broadcaster. There will probably never be another like him. He was a fighter & scrapper right to the end. Rest in Peace Ron.

keith in halifax
I became interested in the CFL because of the Little General. He always seemed so well composed and likable. His dedication to Saskatchewan and to the CFL was exemplary. A great guy, player, father and mentor. My thoughts and condolences to his family. I gonna miss the guy.

Shamaro
Whenever I thought of CFL football, the first who would always come to mind was Ron Lancaster.

You'll be missed Ron.

Marcel
RIP Ron

Edb (Hamilton)
Well played Ron.
Thanks for everything. We will miss you, especially now that we need you more then ever. The first pint after work tonite will be in your honor. RIP

Cheers!

Gerry Mccowan
Sorry to hear that. Prayers go out to your family.You will be missed. RIP

Linda
I liked and respected Mr. Lancaster for everything he did for Hamilton...on and off the field. My condolences to his family. He will be missed!

Barry
I grew up in Regina. Ron Lancaster was a legend. My next door neighbour was Clyde Brock and I remember seeing many of the Saskatchewan Roughriders visiting next door.
RIP Mr.Lancaster

Chris P.
To Ron Lancaster.
Thanks for all the years of football. I started to watch you while I was a kid. As a huge Riders fan, I was broken when you coached in Edmonton and Hamilton but you were always my favorite CFL player of all time.

RIP.

Sheldon in the Hat
R.I.P. Ronnie! You were and always will be a legend in the minds of any CFL football fan. Thanks for all you did and for all the memories you left.

Greg
Simply the best...Rest in peace Ron...thank you.

Greg
Calgary Alberta

George
Nobody could keep the defense guessing like Ron when he was QBing. He was the first non-hockey sports hero I followed.

Mike
The CFL is excellent ball, highly entertaining and of great value. This transcends through Families, making it a National Pastime more important than Hockey, I would say. Ron Lancaster contributed greatly to all of that, and is one of those rare ambassadors that has etched greatness to Canadiana forever.
Thanks, Ron

Andrew
As a young 11 year old immigrant from England in 1978 I persuaded my mother to take me to The Pop Shoppe on 8th street in Saskatoon. When we arrived we wondered what the commotion was all about. Ronnie Lancaster was there and was signing autographs. I asked my mom who he was and she had no idea. I just wanted to line up too so we did. We got to the front of the line and I had no idea what to say to him. He looked at me and smiled and I just remember his very deep voice.My mother must have said something to him about being new in the country but it really impressed upon me that being an immigrant himself in parting he said "Welcome to Canada and good luck to you mam". Now doesn't that tell you something about the man? Truly a gentleman and from that time on I watched every single Riders game.May he rest in peace.

Mark Greenberg
I had the privilege of seeing Ron Lancaster play many times as a child growing up in Ottawa attending games with my parents.
Those games were always great and the rivalry with his good friend and CFL legend Russ Jackson was legendary.
He was a great competitor and great ambassador for the CFL. He will be truly missed.

Mykey, The Lakehead
The greatness of Ron Lancaster endures. A legend never dies.

beev126
A Great Canadian Icon. Ron Lancaster provided countless fans with many years of great football.
He will be remembered and missed.
I agree with Nanook, he needs a stadium named after him.

Mike in Hamilton
Gone but not forgotten.
R.I.P. Little General

Cindy in Calgary
I have been a fan of many players and coaches in the CFL since 1971 and going to many games. The influence of Ron Lancaster is and was huge never a more feisty and intelligent player and coach was this man.

An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

You will be missed Mr. Lancaster. Rest easy your job is done.