Harold Patterson - 2009 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Harold Patterson enshrined into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame during the 2009 Induction ceremony. Presenting keynote speaker is Gary Bender, 2008 KSHOF inductee.

Harold Patterson was a two-year letterman and starter in basketball, football and baseball at the University of Kansas. He played in one of the Jayhawks biggest basketball games in history, but made his mark on the football field as one of the greatest players in the history of the Canadian Football League. After graduating from Rozel High School, Patterson was an All-American center for the Garden City Community College basketball team in 1952 and lettered in football, basketball and baseball at GCCC. Patterson went on to the University of Kansas, where he played baseball, football and basketball and was a starter for the 1953 Kansas basketball team that lost to Indiana, 69-68, in the 1953 national championship game. Despite being drafted by the NFL Philadelphia Eagles in 1954, Patterson signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL. In 14 seasons, Patterson was a five-time All-Eastern defensive back, a seven-time All-Eastern and All-Canadian offensive end and was named the MVP of the league in 1956. Patterson scored 75 career touchdowns in the CFL and set a career receiving record with 9,473 yards and 64 touchdowns while averaging over 20 yards per catch for his career. Patterson was named to the CFL All-Century team and is a member of the CFL Hall of Fame. Patterson was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1960 and helped lead the Tiger-Cats to three Grey Cup victories. In 2006, The Sports Network in Canada featured a list of the top 50 players in CFL history and Patterson ranked 13th. In 2008, the Montreal Alouettes retired his No. 75 jersey. He is also a member of the Garden City Community College Athletic Hall of Fame. Born October 4, 1931 Garden City, Kansas. Graduated Rozel H.S., 1950; Garden City CC, 1952; University of Kansas, 1954.

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[sikorskiS55]

You just made my day. Hal Patterson was my boyhood hero: every time, I played, I played as if I were he. He was amazing. Prince Hal or Mr Wonderful. When Ted Workman traded him, saying that he was too old, he went to play for the Hamilton Tiger Cats and helped them win the Grey Cup. In one of his first games against the Als, he scored a touchdown on a 65 yard pass play, outrunning one of the Als`fleetest backs. Washed-up, indeed. Thanks Hal. People who saw you play will NEVER forget you.

[bergkamp48]

"Prince Hal." Not only a great receiver but played two ways for many seasons. When he played in Hamilton used to drive up from Kansas on his motorcycle for pre-season training. Back in the 50's many great all around athletes came to Canada to play in the CFL. Patterson was one...the great Bud Grant was another. But by the late 50's what really moved the NFL ahead was the revenue from television.

[bullwhip53]

Prince Hal was one of the greatest receivers of all time!!

[hockeyzombies]

@mustanghutch44 The NFL was paying more back then. The CFL was able to play a few players more money but the NFL salary on average was bigger. The NFL was playing in 50 and 60,000 seat stadiums and the CFL's biggest stadium in 1954 was Empire Stadium at 36,000 seats.

[mustanghutch44]

One of the best ever in Canadian Football.

Guy would be a legend in NFL as well if they were paying the same amount that the CFL did in those days.