Leif Petterson - 1950-2008

August 1, 2008 @ 13:25

Like most people who knew him, or knew of him, I was floored yesterday when I heard about the passing of former CFL player Leif Petterson.

I never got to know Leif personally, but over the years I interviewed several times when he played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 1980's, and I talked to him several times over the years while he worked for TSN.

He was also a fellow honourary director with the Pat Marsden Foundation.

A nice guy, but not only a nice guy, a striking man.

Tall, good looking, well spoken and the type of guy who made everyone feel at ease.

It's another one of those head-shakers. When people die of a heart attack at 57 years of age, we expect them to overweight, out of shape and under unbearable stress.

Petterson was obviously in marvelous shape, giving the impression of a man 37 instead of 57, and from all accounts, he did not take life seriously. In other words, to look at the guy you'd rank him extremely low in candidates for a massive coronary.

But you can never tell, and you never know what's around the corner.

On Tuesday, Leif Petterson was a thriving middle aged man with apparently a good portion of his life still ahead of him.

On Wednesday he was dead.

Savour every minute.

Category: Sports

3 Responses to "Leif Petterson - 1950-2008"

Ball
August 5, 2008 / 12:00

I knew Leif from the Toronto Ski Club and I can't believe this news when we heard it last week. If there ever was a person who you would say was in great condition, it was him. Every Saturday after skiing... I knew a few people in the group he hung out with and often talked with him. He was about 6'4" or 5" and in great shape. For a guy, he was very good looking and while standing beside him talking I would look around the bar and every woman in the place is staring at you... You think they are staring at you when it's him that they are looking at. His family were all members and involved in the ski club. There was a live band every Sat. and like you Fred, he was a great singer and on occasion he would get up and sing with the band... one time I recall him drawing quite the crowd singing Mustang Sally.
Anyway, it's unbelievable that at 57 he's dead.

Tania
March 22, 2009 / 06:40

Hi,
Ugh, I liked! So clear and positively.

Thanks
Tania

Pett
April 11, 2009 / 06:43

Hi,
Thanks for article. Everytime like to read you.

Thanks
Pett

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