Longtime Gopher Booster Dies

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Bob McNamara, an All-American football player for Minnesota in the 1950s and later a major fundraiser for the university, has died. He was 82.

The university announced McNamara's death on Monday. The school says McNamara died after a long illness on Sunday night.

McNamara played for the Gophers from 1951-54. He was an All-American halfback and the team MVP in 1954. He played professionally for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Canada and the Denver Broncos in the AFL.

After his playing career was over, McNamara was one of the school's leading fundraisers. He played a big role in raising money for the new outdoor football stadium.

McNamara is survived by his wife, Annette, and three children.