Former Minnesota captain, MVP Tom Sakal died of cancer Saturday

It’s been a while since Minnesota football has had success.

Sure, there have been good seasons, but when is the last time the Golden Gophers won a co-title in the Big Ten? The year 1967.

Back then, Minnesota had a captain leading its defense in DB Tom Sakal. Sakal had 12 career interceptions in his time with the Golden Gophers and in 1967, the team finished in a 3-way tie atop the conference. Sakal played a large part, being named the team’s MVP that season.

On Saturday, it was announced that Sakal passed away from cancer:

Former #Gophers captain Tom Sakal, who led the U to its last #B1G
co-title in 1967, died of cancer Saturday, @Charley_Walters wrote. On PJ Fleck's invite, Sakal spoke to last year's Minnesota team and shared nice anecdotes with me for a story on 50th anniversary of that team.

— Andy Greder (@andygreder) October 7, 2018

As Andy Greder from the St. Paul Pioneer Press wrote, Sakal spoke to last year’s — and coach P.J. Fleck’s first — Minnesota team.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sakal’s family and friends.