Former NFL quarterback John Hadl died Wednesday at the age of 82.
Hadl was a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback who starred for the Chargers in the 1960s, according to The New York Post. The star athlete was highly revered by his fans and had a statue erected in his honor in 2020 that stands outside the Anderson Family Football Complex, The New York Post reported. The official cause of Hadl’s death has not been revealed at this time
rest easy, john 🤍 pic.twitter.com/L8uQAJ7mQL
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 30, 2022
The Los Angeles Chargers posted a memoriam on Twitter Thursday in honor of Hadl and his many accomplishments.
“John Hadl helped put the Chargers organization and the AFL as a whole on the sporting map in the early 1960s,” the team wrote. (RELATED: REPORT: ‘Power Rangers’ Star Dead At 49)
NFF mourns the passing of 1994 @cfbhall inductee John Hadl, a two-time First Team All-American who starred with @KU_Football from 1959-61.
“Hadl established himself as one of the greatest Jayhawks ever,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning.https://t.co/utGUMZB1RW pic.twitter.com/5JH9fZg1Ot
— Football Foundation (@NFFNetwork) November 30, 2022
“With a resume that included an AFL Championship in 1963, team captaincy from 1965-72, three team MVP selections by his peers, 5 All-Star/Pro Bowl teams and the 1971 Walker Payton Man of the Year Award, Hadl was one of the greatest and most respected Charges of any era,” the post went on to say.
The school retired Hadl’s number 21, making him just one of three football players to have their uniform retired by the Jayhawks, according to The New York Post. The others were running backs Gale Sayers and Ray Evans.
John Hadl enjoyed a banner day in 1975 when he passed for 275 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants and performed an a cappella version of Scarborough Fair in the huddle that brought two offensive linemen to tears. pic.twitter.com/ntumscV0c3
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) August 9, 2022
Hadl played with the Chargers from 1962-1972 and is recognized for setting an AFL record with a touchdown pass in 19 consecutive games, according to The New York Post. In 1994, Hadl was named to the College Football Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife Diane.