The football world mourns the loss of former quarterback Joe Kapp, who passed away at the age of 85 this week. Kapp’s son, J.J., revealed that his father had been battling dementia for the past 15 years.

Kapp was a star player at the University of California, leading the team to a Rose Bowl in 1958 before being selected by Washington in the 1959 NFL Draft. However, it was with the Minnesota Vikings where Kapp had his best moments, leading the team to an NFL championship in 1969.

Throughout his career, Kapp played for several teams including the Calgary Stampeders, BC Lions, and Boston Patriots. In his 51 games as a pro, he had 5,911 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 64 interceptions. Notably, he holds a share of the record for most passing touchdowns in a single game, with seven.

Kapp was recognized for his achievements in football by being inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and the University of California Athletic Hall of Fame. He will always be remembered as a talented athlete and a true inspiration to football players around the world.