JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Bob Hayes was in fair condition Tuesday after his
prostate was removed following six weeks of radiation treatments for cancer.
The 58-year-old former Olympic champion sprinter and Dallas Cowboys receiver
was at Shands Jacksonville. The hospital would not elaborate on his condition.
Hayes' sister, Lena Johnson, told the Dallas Morning News' online edition
that her brother has liver and kidney ailments as well as the prostate cancer.
"He's improving some, but he's weak," she said. "He's still talking and
responding to people, but he's got some problems. His liver has really
deteriorated."
Johnson said her brother had surgery Feb. 27 to remove his prostate.
Hayes is the only man to win an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring. He
was drafted in the seventh round in 1964, the year Hayes won the 100 meters and
anchored the gold medal-winning 400-meter relay in the Tokyo Olympics.
One of the finest receivers in Cowboys history, Hayes caught 371 passes for
7,414 yards and 71 touchdowns in his 11-year career.
Hayes still holds several Cowboy records, including touchdowns
(71), most touchdowns in a game (4), highest average per catch in a season
(20.0) and longest pass reception (95 yards).
Before his illness, Hayes had been working at Magic City, a Jacksonville
complex that includes everything from a day-care center to a grocery store to a
flea market.
"He was part of our organization on a daily business until his illness just
wouldn't let him do it anymore," said Al Denson, Hayes' college roommate, who
also works at Magic City. "He's a living legend. If anyone can beat this
thing, it's him."
Hayes spent 10 months in federal prison on drug charges in April 1979 after
pleading guilty to charges of delivering narcotics to an undercover police
officer.
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