Former star CFL halfback Royal Copeland dies at 86

TORONTO (AP) - Royal Copeland, a star halfback who played on four Grey Cup title teams with the Toronto Argonauts, has died. He was 86.

The Canadian Football League team he died Monday and had Alzheimer’s.

Copeland combined with quarterback Joe Krol to form one of the CFL’s most dangerous tandems. They were nicknamed the “Gold Dust Twins” because of their blond hair and electrifying touchdowns.

Copeland was on championship teams in 1945, 1946, 1947 and 1952. He also played for the Calgary Stampeders during his 12-year CFL career. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

Team President Bob Nicholson said his “mastery of the game transcends his era, and he was one of the first true star athletes in the city of Toronto.”

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