John Willard Hadl, an American retired professional football player who played quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, and Houston Oilers for sixteen seasons in the AFL and NFL, was born on February 15, 1940. He spent five seasons as a punter as well. He was chosen for two Pro Bowls and four AFL All-Star games. Hadl, a University of Kansas college football player, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
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His alma mater, the University of Kansas, stated that John Hadl, a four-time AFL All-Star and two-time Pro Bowl participant, passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 82.
Hadl, a brilliant all-around athlete in college, went on to play for the Chargers and become one of the best quarterbacks in the American Football League.
Hadl spent the first 11 seasons of his illustrious career with San Diego before spending time with the Rams, Packers, and Oilers.
Hadl, a backup quarterback for the 1963 AFL Champion Chargers, finished his career with 33,503 passing yards, 244 touchdown passes, 1,112 rushing yards, 16 running scores, and an 82-75-9 record as the starter.
He also led the league in passing three times. In 1971, he was again named NFL Man of the Year.
Hadl, a Lawrence, Kansas, native, was a star quarterback, running back, defensive back, punter, and returner for the Jayhawks.
Hadl set KU records as a sophomore with a 94-yard punt that is still the longest in school history and a 98-yard interception return.
As a sophomore, Hadl led the country in punting (45.6 yards per punt) (which stood as the school best until 2007).
His abilities as a halfback and quarterback led to him becoming the school’s first two-time All-American in 1960 and 1961, when they were recognized.
His time at Kansas would propel him to the College Hall of Fame, the No. 10 overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the 1962 NFL Draft, and the third round selection by the Chargers in the 1962 AFL Draft.
Hadl made the Chargers his team of choice and excelled as a member of Sid Gillman’s unit.
Hadl was an AFL All-Star in the years 1964, 1965, 1968, and 1969. After the AFL and NFL merged in 1972, he was selected for his first Pro Bowl with the Bolts.
After the 1972 campaign, Hadl was transferred to the Rams, where he once more made the Pro Bowl and was named to the first team of the AP All-Pro.
Hadl would be dealt once more, in a notorious deal in which Packers head coach Dan Devine sent the Rams five draft picks in exchange for Hadl, who had a record of 7–12 when starting for Green Bay, with 29 interceptions to nine touchdowns.
However, the deal turned out to be crucial in helping the Rams assemble a group that enjoyed considerable success during the 1970s.
Hadl primarily served as a backup for the Oilers when he finished his NFL playing career, but he then worked as an assistant coach for the Rams and Broncos before leading the Los Angeles Express in the USFL for two seasons.
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