Greg Mohns, who had a long history in the Canadian Football League as a personnel director, general manager and head coach, passed away on Wednesday in Missouri following a long battle with throat cancer.
Thew native of Pasadena, California was 62.
According to his son Jason, Mohns was diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer in August, 2011. The cancer was in an advanced stage in his throat and lymph nodes on the left side of his throat, but had not spread to any other areas of his body. He never smoked or chewed tobacco, so the cause of the cancer was unknown.
He started an intense eight-week program of chemotherapy and radiation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska in September and finished his treatments in late October.
His biggest struggles were due to the after effects of radiation which started in February, leading to several life threatening haemorrhages of his carotid artery.
He was transported to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri where he underwent several major surgeries to try to repair the damaged areas of his throat. Because of the damage to his carotid artery, he was at a much higher risk for stroke. He underwent one final surgery in June to try to repair his throat, but suffered a massive stroke on the left side of his brain that left him paralyzed throughout much of his body and made him unable to speak.
His health deteriorated very rapidly after the stroke and he was placed in Hospice care in Sedalia, Missouri, where he spent his final weeks surrounded by friends and family.
“The outpouring of love and support from friends, family, former players and colleagues, fans and even CFL officials — anyone who knows my dad would have got a kick out of that — was truly amazing,” Jason told sportsnet.ca.
“My dad was a fierce competitor with a fiery personality, who was filled with passion for the game of football. Although he was rough around the edges at times, anyone who had the opportunity to get to know him knew that he had a huge heart and was one of the most loving and loyal friends you could ever have. He will be truly missed by his friends and family, but he has left a legacy that will live on with us forever.
Mohns’ highlights came in 1996 and 2004, winning Grey Cups in a football operations capacity with the Toronto Argonauts. He also worked for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Memphis Mad Dogs and B.C. Lions, which he coached from 1998-2000. He compiled a 22-12 record and .647 winning percentage.
Mohns also worked in the Xtreme Football League. He began his football career as an assistant at Oklahoma State in 1972. He worked with various NCAA schools and with the Kansas City Chiefs.
