Hall of Fame FB Lunsford passes away

Sep 4, 2008 - 5:21 PM CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) -- Canadian Football Hall of Fame fullback Earl Lunsford passed away, the Calgary Stampeders announced Thursday. He was 74.

A member of the Stampeders for six seasons from 1956 and 1963, Lunsford died on Wednesday at his home in Fort Worth, Texas.

Despite serving two years in the United States military from 1957-58, Lunsford finished his career as one of Calgary's all-time best runners, ranking second overall with 6,994 rushing yards and first with 55 rushing touchdowns and 100-yard games with 28.

Lunsford also scored a franchise-record five touchdowns in a game against Edmonton on September 3, 1962.

Nicknamed the "Earthquake", Lunsford had his best season in 1961, leading the CFL with 1,794 rushing yards while becoming fondly known as "the first pro football player to run for a mile."

A league record at the time, Lunsford's total still ranks as the second-highest in Stampeders' history.

A college player at Oklahoma State, Lunsford was named to the CFL Hall of Fame in 1963.