Bill Self recalls KU great John Hadl: ‘I don’t know anyone who was more a Jayhawk’
Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self spent some time at his pre-Seton Hall news conference Wednesday afternoon honoring the memory of former KU football great John Hadl, who died Wednesday morning at the age of 82.
“We got word this morning that we lost John. I don’t want to speak for others, (but) I don’t know of anybody that was more a Jayhawk or loved Kansas more than John Hadl,” Self, who is in his 20th season at KU, said.
Hadl spoke to Self several times during the period in which Self was debating whether to leave Illinois after just three seasons to replace Roy Williams as hoops coach at KU. Hadl was an assistant athletic director at KU at the time.
“John grew up in Lawrence, so you know he loved KU growing up,” Self said. “He came here as a student-athlete, had unbelievable success (as KU quarterback in the early 60s), had an unbelievable pro career, then as soon as he finishes his (16-year) pro career he wants to come back, give back to his school as (assistant football) coach and as a fundraiser.”
Self said Hadl “was the coolest dude that would never talk about how cool he was. He was cool because he never had to talk about himself or boast about himself and what he accomplished. The dude threw for about 40,000 yards in the NFL and AFL (primarily with San Diego Chargers). Guys are getting in the Hall of Fame without stats like he’s got.”
Hadl, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, never was admitted to the Pro Football Hall despite throwing for 33,503 yards, 244 touchdowns with 268 interceptions. At the time of his retirement he ranked third all-time in passing yards. Hadl never missed a start because of injury during his 16-year AFL/NFL career.
“He probably had more stories about hanging out with Lance Rentzel (receiver), Joe Namath (QB), Roman Gabriel (QB), guys like that than anybody could ever have,” Self said. “John was a big guy, ... but he always made it about others. I loved that about him. He loved KU.”
Self noted that Hadl had some health problems the last few years.
“The last five, six years he has not been able to have the same impact on us and others as what we are used to because of a bad fall, things like that,” Self said. “He was an amazing guy. He’ll be missed. He’s like Max (Falkenstien, late legendary broadcaster). There should be memories of him not just in football but everything KU from this point forward.”
