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CFL stunned by death of a giant

MATTHEW SEKERES

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 11:00 PM EST 06/07/08

Bob Ackles, 69, the B.C. Lions' president and chief executive officer, suffered a fatal heart attack near the family's cabin ...Read the full article

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  1. Rabid Senses from Good gawd, a latte-swilling Westerner, Canada writes:

    What an amazing story of work ethic and commitment.

    And he's right: keep the CFL strong in Canada and keep the NFL out!

    No NFL franchise for Toronto.

    Thinking of you and your family. What a shock this must be.

    Godspeed indeed.
  2. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Condolences to the Ackles family.

    When a human passes it is customary to say something nice about the deceased. Say nice things, talk about what a good person they were.
    In Bobby Ackles case, that is easy and truthful. For this little BIG man came from a Nobody to the Somebody of all Somebodies. Highly respected and Mr Ackles earned every bit of that regard and respect.

    There will never be another like him for a thousand years.
  3. mighty conan from Cagry, Canada writes: So sad. B.C. & the CFL's loss is heavens gain...
  4. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Condolences to Mr. Ackles' friends and family....

    I honestly cannot say that I followed his career that closely, but if my Western bookend buddy liked him he must have been a really good guy...

    He sounds like an appropriate nominee for some sort of sports award to honour him.

    Cheers
  5. A. McDonough from Canada writes: Given his opposition to the NFL in Toronto, his sudden passing is suspicious to say the least. I send my condolences to his family and hope they cherish their fond memories of Mr. Ackles.
  6. Joe Dirt from Canada writes: ' A. McDonough from Canada writes: Given his opposition to the NFL in Toronto, his sudden passing is suspicious to say the least.'

    You are joking right? Does there have to be a conspiracy theory behind everything these days?

    Though I thought he was wrong to try to block the NFL in Canada, his story of waterboy to GM of a championship team is remarkable. He will be missed.
  7. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Nevertheless, Mr. Ackles' heroic battle to rally in favour of the Canadian Football League over Mr. Rogers' attempt to bring NFL football to Toronto will be remembered...

    Hopefully...

    Cheers.
  8. Rabid Senses from Good gawd, a latte-swilling Westerner, Canada writes:

    A. McDonough,

    I cannot even begin to think how ludicrous your comment is.

    If it was intended as a joke then I can understand ---> Canadians, while always known for a great sense of humour, tend to operate on fewer cylinders on Sundays.
  9. A. McDonough from Canada writes: Given that everything is a conspiracy these days, why shouldn't this be as well. It's every bit as plausible as every other conspiracy theory out there.

    Though I disagreed with Mr. Ackles position on the NFL, his sudden passing is a sad and tragic event. I agree with those castigated me for raising conspiracy theories. I'm sick of everything being some kind of unspoken conspiracy. On the other hand, this one is a helluva lot more plausible than nearly all of the others you hear out there from the likes of McQuaig, Salutin. Do I really think this was a conspiracy -- no I do not. However, given the grip that conspiracy theories have from JFK to 9/11 - why not throw one more out to show how stupid the conspiracy theory business is. Or perhaps is this somehow tied to Nostradamus?
  10. Ziad Fazel from Calgary, Canada writes: A huge loss to his family, the BC Lions, and Canadian Sports.

    If there is a heaven for me when I die, I am now confident the football there will be excellent.

    He is the only man in history to have held executive positions in the CFL, NFL and XFL. Glad he completed his memoirs before he passed.

    http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Water-Boy-Sidelines-Owners-Box-Bob-Ackles-Ian-Mulgrew/9780470153451-item.html
  11. JEANNE FARINE from Vancouver, Canada writes: True sadness can rarely be expressed to match the realty of what loss happens in life. That is certainly true in the case of a man who gave everything he had, always, to the best options for the Canadian Football game after a similar career for NFL teams. I do truly pray for his family's comfort now and in the time ahead.

    And, sincerely, I pray that his courage and clarity of vision will ultimately prevail in the struggle for the survival of Canada's football game against the usual demeaning greed of the money boys who are putting short term gain ahead of longer term respect for the 'community' that has created, supported and built the CFL. Rogers is a disaster in waiting for any group he can manipulate. And the CFL owners who are backing the sell-out to the corporate invaders and betrayers are a shameful lot when they are compared to the Ackles personage.

    May what Mr. Ackles gave us be remembered, honoured and, ultimately, redeemed.
  12. A. McDonough from Canada writes: Jeane Farine - Just like Canadian have the right to enjoy U2, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna and othe international stars in concert and read books from authors from around the world, Canadians should be given the choice to patronize NFL football. If the NFL is not attractive to Canadians, it will not sell. However, if its what Canadians want to see - then let Canadians see it.

    Are you telling me that we have to listen to 54-40 peform the songs of U2 to preserve Canadian heritage? Do we have to see Bubbles and the Trailer Park Boys star in Get Smart because Steve Carrell and Ms. Anne Hathaway are part of the corporate invaders and betrayers? Should Canadians have to shop at Zellers because Wal-Mart, the Gap, Abercrombies are not Canadian?

    Government should keep its eyes out of the bedrooms of the nation and its sports fields. If the CFL is a good league with high quality football, people will watch it. That should be enough.
  13. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: A. McDonough from Canada:

    I would like to watch CFL football in Halifax even if you Centre of the Universe people would rather watch the crappy, 7-9 Buffalo Bills...

    However, I don't really have that choice, do I...

    So which Canadians are you really speaking about ?

    Cheers.
  14. Rob Swanson from been to all the stadiums, Canada writes: The man was to CFL football what Katz hopes to be for hockey.

    A real fan who's passion for the game and commitment to the business of sport find that rare balance.

    As a passionate fan of the game and cynical observer of the business, I hope that more of the people on the business side will take this as a lesson to move closer to the fans, and find a new passion for the game.

    Thoughts for the family. He will very much be missed.

    P/s keep your ^grubby politics out of this thread PLEASE!!!
  15. M Poland from Calgary, Canada writes: A tremendous loss; my condolences to the Ackles family.
  16. Steve Church from Canada writes: Deepest sympathies to the family and friends. Never knew about the man, but sure knew what the revival of the Lions meant to the CFL. It's the best price-performance entertainment on the planet, imo, high-risk high-reward, don't every get comfy, football. Mr. Ackles, I regret there's no chance for us to say thanks to you. But it's there.
  17. john shantz from Canada writes: What Mr Rogers wants, Mr Rogers gets. It started with Mulroney, accelerated with 'slippery Jean' and continues with Harper. If the CFL is dependent on the NFL staying out of Canada............. start the toaster!
  18. Michael Sharp from Victorious, Canada writes:

    God rest you, Bob.

    As a lifelong Lions fan, I was saddened when he left BC and more than happy when he returned.

    Win the Cup for Bob, BC.
    It is your duty.
  19. Canuck No longer an Expat from Canada writes: Very sad indeed and my condolences go out to his family and friends. A ma

    Although an NFL and CFL fan I do agree with Ackles' views on keeping the NFL out of Canada. I think there is a considerable risk to strongly hurting what is one of the few truly Canadian institutions remaining in a country that is becoming increasingly American, culturally. Ackles was a very intelligent man and his view on the potential demise of the CFL to appease one city and a few billionaires in this country is probably correct. RIP, Mr. Ackles and hopefully someone else picks up this noble fight.
  20. the was from Canada writes: Bob was a class act....a true football man..he had vision and lived his life with purpose...he will be missed!

    "I look back on my life and my career and feel like the luckiest man in the world. Few people get to spend their days doing something they love with those they love". Bob Ackles 1938-2008

    Lets hope one day we all can say the same thing!

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