Former NFL Coach Lou Saban Passes Away

Former Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos and Patriots coach Lou Saban died early this morning at age 87, his wife, Joyce Saban, told the Associated Press. Saban had a history of heart problems. He recently suffered a fall that required a hospital stay. He passed away at 4:00 a.m. A former Cleveland Browns football player and New York Yankees president, Saban also coached collegiately at Maryland, Northwestern, Army, and Miami. He coached the Patriots during the AFL era when they were known as the Boston Patriots. UPDATE: Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, a friend of Saban’s, has issued this statement: “My friendship with Lou goes back to 1948, when we were both involved in a youth track and field program in Cleveland. He has been my friend and mentor for over 50 years, and one of the people who helped shape my life. Lou was tough and disciplined, and he earned all the respect and recognition that came his way. “He spent a lifetime leading, teaching and inspiring, and took great satisfaction in making the lives around him better. This is a tremendous loss to me personally, and I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Joyce, and the entire Saban family.”