Former Auburn great Ed Dyas passes away at 71

Unfortunately, there is sad news coming out of The Plains that is sure to temper the enthusiasm on winning the National Championship.

Former Auburn All-American Ed Dyas passed away on Sunday after a long battle with cancer. The multi-talented, scholar-athlete was 71. "We are deeply saddened by the death of Dr. Ed Dyas," Athletics Director Jay Jacobs said in a statement released by the university. "He was a fighter who embodied the values of the Auburn Creed that we all hold dear. Dr. Dyas was one of Auburn’s all-time greats, but he was much more than a great athlete. He was a scholar, a gentleman, a successful surgeon, a civic leader and a trusted friend. We extend our deepest condolences to the Dyas family and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers." Dyas was one of Auburn’s most successful and versatile players as a kicker, linebacker and fullback. He set an NCAA record by making 13 field goals in 1960 and finished his career as AU’s sixth leading rusher.

But Dyas’ greatest contributions were seen away from the field. The Mobile, Alabama, native was a three-time academic All-American studying pre-med. After college, he attended medical school and became a successful orthopedic surgeon in Mobile.

He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.