Charlie Sanders, a Hall of Fame tight end for the Detroit Lions, died Thursday after a short battle with cancer. He was 68.
Sanders was diagnosed with cancer in November when doctors found a tumor in his right knee as he was being prepared for knee replacement surgery.
He was a seven-time Pro Bowl tight end in 10 seasons with the Lions (1968-77), and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007. When he retired in 1978, he held the Lions’ record with 336 receptions.
Sanders had remained part of the franchise since his retirement, working as an analyst on radio broadcasts, as receivers coach (1989-96) and as assistant director of player personnel.
