Losing two legends

We lost two legendary football stars this week, Sammy Baugh from the NFL and Joe "King" Krol from the CFL. Both were stars of the game long before my time, but I can appreciate the impact that they had on football from the history that accompanies them. Both were multi talented players. Most players played multiple positions back in the 1940s, but not all players excelled at all the positions they played, as Baugh and Krol did.

Sammy Baugh (#33) was a natural passer, a first round draft choice from Texas who played on two NFL champion teams for the Washington Redskins. He was also a talented defensive back and an outstanding punter. One year he led the NFL in passing, interceptions by a defensive back and in punting. Only recently has his record career punting average been exceeded by Shane Lechler of the Oakland Raiders. Baugh still holds several NFL punting records after being out of the game for over fifty years.

King Krol (#73) won five Grey Cups for the Toronto Argonauts in their hey day in the late forties and early fifties. Like Baugh he starred on offence and defence and was a talented kicker. A running back, Krol was named to the top 50 CFL players of all time. He is also a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

These two men lived to advanced ages, but we still mourn their loss as they were legends who helped make the great game of football what it is today.