CFL Alumni Association

Our Condolences go out to the family and friends of Dr. William Ben Van Burkleo

Sad news today from Bill Van Burkleo’s family. Bill passed away on May 20, 2026.

Dr. William Ben Van Burkleo, a four-time Grey Cup champion and dedicated physician, passed away on May 20, 2026, at the age of 83. Born on November 21, 1942, he completed his collegiate football career at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa, graduating in 1965. Van Burkleo then transitioned to the Canadian Football League (CFL), playing as a standout competitor for the Toronto Argonauts, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ottawa Rough Riders, Calgary Stampeders, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His athletic brilliance culminated in four Grey Cup championships, captured in 1968, 1969, 1971, and 1972, cementing his legacy in Canadian football history.Following his sports career and a brief tenure as a television producer and director, Van Burkleo pursued a second calling in medicine. He graduated from the Oklahoma State College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in 1981, successfully pivoting from professional sports to healthcare. Dr. Van Burkleo established his medical practice in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he spent decades serving his community with the same dedication that defined his championship football career.

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https://goravens.ca/sports/fball/2026-27/releases/20260528dsi9rh