Esks.com Staff

EDMONTON -- Former Edmonton Eskimo star Oscar Kruger died Sunday evening after a lengthy illness. He was 77.
 
The Edmonton native played 12 seasons for the Esks and distinguished himself as a hardnosed safety and punishing tackler. Krueger was a three time Grey Cup champion (1954, ’55, ’56), four time West Division All-Star (1957, ’58,’61, ’62) and the Esks’ top Canadian in 1963. Kruger’s 46 career interceptions is third on the Esks All-Time list. He was inducted into the Eskimo Wall of Honour at Commonwealth Stadium in 1992.
 
A former provincial boxing champion and skilled basketball player, Oscar earned a law degree from the University of Alberta while playing for the Esks and would go on to a successful law career in Edmonton.
 
Former Eskimo play by play announcer Bryan Hall says “Oscar was as tough as they come, a cool customer who was very quiet and extremely intelligent.  As a player, Oscar inspired respect from teammates and opponents. As a person, he was a true gentleman and friend.”