Former three-time Pro Bowler, and when he finished his career, was the Detroit Lions all-time leader in receptions and reception yards, wide receiver Gail Cogdill passed away Thursday night following complications from heart and kidney failure and dementia at age 79, per the Detroit Free Press.
Cogdill was a sixth-round selection in the 1960 NFL Draft and earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, as well as a Pro Bowl invite. He now stands sixth all-time in receptions and fourth in receiving yards in Lions team history.
"Gail was simply a great football player, an outstanding receiver and teammate," Hall of Fame teammate and coach Joe Schmidt said Friday, per the report. "Frankly, we didn't take advantage of his ability."
Cogdill's brain will be donated for a concussion study. He is survived by his wife and five children from two marriages.
