B.C. Lions
president and CEO Bob Ackles passed away Sunday morning after
suffering a heart attack. The club’s original water boy, who rose through
the ranks to become its most recognizable ambassador, had been an integral
member of the club for more than 50 years. Bob was 69.
president and CEO Bob Ackles passed away Sunday morning after
suffering a heart attack. The club’s original water boy, who rose through
the ranks to become its most recognizable ambassador, had been an integral
member of the club for more than 50 years. Bob was 69.
Bob’s star rose quickly with
the Lions, and in 1966 he was named the club’s director of football
development. He was promoted again in 1971 to assistant general manager.
Four years later, he was promoted to general manager, holding that title
until 1986.
the Lions, and in 1966 he was named the club’s director of football
development. He was promoted again in 1971 to assistant general manager.
Four years later, he was promoted to general manager, holding that title
until 1986.
Under Bob’s
leadership, the Lions captured the 1985 Grey Cup — their first CFL title in
21 seasons. This was to be a triumphant but temporary end to Bob’s Lions
career, as he accepted an offer to join the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL after
34 years with the Leos. Bob spent six seasons in Dallas; three as vice
president of pro personnel, and three as vice president of player personnel.
He also played a key role in guiding the Cowboys back to the playoffs in
1991. Bob left Dallas following that season, but the team he helped assemble
would go on to win Super Bowls in 1993, 1994 and 1996.
leadership, the Lions captured the 1985 Grey Cup — their first CFL title in
21 seasons. This was to be a triumphant but temporary end to Bob’s Lions
career, as he accepted an offer to join the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL after
34 years with the Leos. Bob spent six seasons in Dallas; three as vice
president of pro personnel, and three as vice president of player personnel.
He also played a key role in guiding the Cowboys back to the playoffs in
1991. Bob left Dallas following that season, but the team he helped assemble
would go on to win Super Bowls in 1993, 1994 and 1996.
Bob joined the Phoenix Cardinals
in 1992 as director of college scouting before receiving a promotion to
assistant general manager in 1994. Bob’s next stop was Philadelphia in
1995, where he was named the Eagles’ director of football administration.
A year later, Bob would reunite with former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy
Johnson in Miami as the club’s director of football operations, a position
he held for five years.
in 1992 as director of college scouting before receiving a promotion to
assistant general manager in 1994. Bob’s next stop was Philadelphia in
1995, where he was named the Eagles’ director of football administration.
A year later, Bob would reunite with former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy
Johnson in Miami as the club’s director of football operations, a position
he held for five years.
In 2000, Bob
was named vice president and general manager of the Las Vegas Outlaws. This
put Bob in the history books as the only man to hold senior executive
positions in the CFL, NFL and XFL. With the XFL only lasting a single
season, Bob found himself out of football for the first time in decades and
seized the opportunity to further his education and enrolled in UNLV’s
Fine Arts program.
was named vice president and general manager of the Las Vegas Outlaws. This
put Bob in the history books as the only man to hold senior executive
positions in the CFL, NFL and XFL. With the XFL only lasting a single
season, Bob found himself out of football for the first time in decades and
seized the opportunity to further his education and enrolled in UNLV’s
Fine Arts program.
In 2002,
Bob’s triumphant return to the Lions was capped off with his induction
into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a Builder. In an effort to return
the club to its proper place in the community and the CFL, he recruited one
of the league’s most successful coaches of all time, Wally Buono, and
named him head coach and general manager in 2003.
Bob’s triumphant return to the Lions was capped off with his induction
into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a Builder. In an effort to return
the club to its proper place in the community and the CFL, he recruited one
of the league’s most successful coaches of all time, Wally Buono, and
named him head coach and general manager in 2003.
In 2004, Ackles was inducted into
the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Accolades for Ackles work continued in 2005 when
Bob was honoured with the Jack Diamond Award by the Jewish Community Centre
as Sportsman of the Year. Bob was also a Schenley Award of Excellence
winner. In 2006, the Lions captured their fifth championship – the first
since Bob’s return to Vancouver.
the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Accolades for Ackles work continued in 2005 when
Bob was honoured with the Jack Diamond Award by the Jewish Community Centre
as Sportsman of the Year. Bob was also a Schenley Award of Excellence
winner. In 2006, the Lions captured their fifth championship – the first
since Bob’s return to Vancouver.
In September
2007, Bob’s highly anticipated memoir The Water Boy, a candid,
personal account of his life and his more than 50 years in professional
football, was launched and received rave reviews across North America.
2007, Bob’s highly anticipated memoir The Water Boy, a candid,
personal account of his life and his more than 50 years in professional
football, was launched and received rave reviews across North America.
In addition to his work with the
Lions, Bob also served on the board of directors for the Vancouver YMCA, the
Canadian Tourism Commission, and for the Burnaby Mountain Sport &
Medical Centre.
Lions, Bob also served on the board of directors for the Vancouver YMCA, the
Canadian Tourism Commission, and for the Burnaby Mountain Sport &
Medical Centre.
Bob is
survived by his wife Kay, sons Steve (Sherri) and Scott (Teresa) and
grandchildren, Robert, Ashley Kyle, Kasey and Robyn.
survived by his wife Kay, sons Steve (Sherri) and Scott (Teresa) and
grandchildren, Robert, Ashley Kyle, Kasey and Robyn.
The entire Toronto Argonauts family would like
to extend its deepest sympathies to the Ackles family and the B.C. Lions
Football Club.
to extend its deepest sympathies to the Ackles family and the B.C. Lions
Football Club.