Regina, SK (Best E Casino) - Canadian football Hall of Famer Ron Lancaster has died at the age of 69.

Lancaster, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982, had been battling lung cancer.

"Our league has lost its 'little general.' And our country has lost a giant of a man," said CFL commissioner Mark Cohon in a statement.

"Ron Lancaster is deeply loved across Canada, as a CFL player, coach, broadcaster and mentor, but most of all as a true friend. His career spanned eras, bridged west and east, and delighted our fans. But his life transcended sport, because the young man who came here from Pennsylvania grew into a true Canadian hero -- a role model who often towered above the rest, and yet remained resolutely down to earth, at the same time."

Lancaster spent most of his 19-year playing career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, quarterbacking the club to its first-ever Grey Cup title in 1966. He spent 16 seasons with the Riders, joining the club in 1963 after a trade from Ottawa, and still owns numerous club passing records.

In addition to the Grey Cup championship, he won the league's Most Outstanding Player award with Saskatchewan in 1970 and '76, and spent two years as the club's head coach.

"Ronnie was one of the greatest football players and even more important, one of the greatest human beings I have had the privilege to know," commented Riders President/CEO Jim Hopson. "His loss will be deeply felt in Saskatchewan and across the nation as Ron touched so many people through his playing, coaching and commentator work."

Following a stint as a CFL analyst for CBC, Lancaster returned to the sideline as coach of the Edmonton Eskimos in 1991. He guided Edmonton to a Grey Cup crown in 1993, then took over as head coach of Hamilton in 1997 and led the Tiger-Cats to their most recent Grey Cup title in 1999.

Lancaster is survived by his wife, Bev, and three children, Lana, Rob and Bob.