THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER — Bob Ackles was praised for his love of football and his ability to make everyone he met feel important as tributes continued to flow Monday from both sides of the border for the B.C. Lions president who died suddenly over the weekend.
Jimmy Johnson, the former head coach of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins, said he and wife Rhonda were saddened to learn of Ackles’ death.
Johnson and Ackles worked together in Dallas and Miami. They remained close friends.
"Bob loved life and was always a joy to be around," Johnson said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kay and the family."
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys owner and general manager, said Ackles was liked and respected throughout the sport.
"Bob Ackles is one of a handful of men who made a visible impact on professional football on both sides of the border," Jones said in a statement. "He was a very good person who had a great love for the sport."
Bryan Wiedmeier, president of the Dolphins, said Ackles’ joy at coming to work every day made the job a pleasure for everyone.
"Bob started every day with a smile and kept that same upbeat disposition no matter the circumstances," Wiedmeier said in a statement. "As someone who worked his way up the pro football ladder from the bottom, he never forgot his roots. He would treat ball boys and interns the same way he did coaches and players, with respect, appreciation, and admiration."
Gordon Smeaton, vice-president of NFL International, said Ackles always had the game’s best interests at heart.
"Throughout his long career in professional football, Bob Ackles always worked in the best interests of the game he loved," said Smeaton. "Our sport has lost a great competitor and a true friend."
Ackles, the Lions’ first water boy who rose through the ranks to become the CFL team’s president and chief executive officer, died of a heart attack Sunday. He was 69.
The Lions were back at practice Monday, something Ackles would have wanted, said team owner David Braley.
"As Bob would have wanted, we will continue to do our best both on the field and off," Braley, a Hamilton businessman, said in a statement. "As a result of his outstanding leadership I have every confidence that our staff, our coaches and our players will continue to make us proud as we move forward."
Braley talked Ackles out of retirement in 2002 and convinced him to take over leadership of the Lions. Ackles and Braley had recently agreed to a new three-year contract.
"We have lost a dear friend in Bob Ackles, a man who was passionate about many things not the least of which were family, the B.C. Lions football club and the Canadian Football League," Braley said.
No decision has been made on who will take over as team president.
Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan said the city will consider an appropriate way to recognize Ackles’ contribution to the community.
"We all knew him as someone that helped build Vancouver into the wonderful city it is," said Sullivan. "His inspiring spirit will live on through everyone who had the privilege of meeting him over his many decades in Vancouver.".
Gene Dunn, chairman of the CFL board of governors, said it’s hard to imagine the next meeting without Ackles.
"It’s hard to imagine football without him," said Dunn. "But it’s not hard to imagine what he’d want us all to do now: honour our game and our league, with our very best, just like he did."
Ackles was just 15 years old when he joined the Lions in 1953. He was named the team’s director of football development in 1966 and the assistant general manger in 1971. Four years later he was promoted to general manager, a title he held until 1986 when he left for the NFL.
During his time in the NFL Ackles worked for the Cowboys, Dolphins, Philadelphia his Eagles and Phoenix Cardinals.
He also was the vice-president and general manager of the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL.
