(KU) The University of Kansas has announced the passing of KU great John Hadl. He passed away Wednesday morning, he was 82 years old.
He was an All-State football player at Lawrence High.
At KU in his first season of collegiate eligibility, Hadl led the NCAA in punting averaging 45.6 yards per punt. He also set KU records for the longest punt, 94 yards, which still stands, and the longest interception return, 98 yards, which stood until 2007.
His senior year he led the Jayhawks to the program’s first-ever bowl victory, a 33-7 decision over Rice in the 1961 Bluebonnet Bowl.
An inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame (1994), Hadl was the first Kansas player to be picked twice for All-America honors in both 1960 and 1961. He was also named the Most Valuable Player of both the East-West Shrine game and the College All-Star game after the 1961 season.
Hadl then enjoyed a successful 16-year career as a professional quarterback, most notably with the San Diego Chargers. A six-time Pro Bowler, he played in three American Football League Championship games and was named National Football Conference Player of the Year in 1973. He was named the 1971 National Football League Man of the Year and is a member of the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame. Hadl was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 1962 NFL Draft.
