Washington State University Hall of Fame wide receiver Gail Cogdill, who donned a Cougar uniform from 1957-59, passed away Thursday in Spokane at the age of 79.
 
Cogdill passed due to heart and kidney failure and dementia, according to his family.
 
"We have lost one of our true Cougar legends. Gail Cogdill was one of my childhood idols when he played for Washington State and the Detroit Lions," said WSU Director of Athletics Bill Moos. "It was a thrill to get to know him over the past several years. Our thoughts are with his wife, Dian and his family."
 
Cogdill was an All-American receiver for the Cougars, playing at WSU from 1957-59 for head coach Jim Sutherland, who called Cogdill "the most graceful athlete I ever coached." Cogdill totaled 64 receptions for 1,256 yards and 13 touchdowns in his three seasons. As a junior he set an NCAA single-game record with 252 yards, on seven receptions, against Northwestern, that stood for years. As a senior he recorded 28 catches for five touchdowns, capping his year by receiving invitations to the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game.
 
Cogdill was inducted into the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982.
 
A sixth round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 1960, he earned the NFL Rookie of the Year Award when he caught 43 passes for 642 yards and one touchdown, also playing in the Pro Bowl. When his nine-year Lions career ended in 1968, he held franchise records with 325 receptions and 5,221 receiving yards, including three more trips to the Pro Bowl.
 
Cogdill's 11-year NFL career came to a close following the 1970 season and produced 356 receptions for 5,696 yards and 34 touchdowns. In 2008 Cogdill was selected along with Moore as the wide receivers to the Detroit Lions' 75^th Anniversary All Time Team.
 
Cogdill is survived by his wife Dian, their children Austin and Gary, and three children from his previous marriage, Kristen, (Mike Dunlap) Eric, and Caroline. He also is survived by a granddaughter, Devin, and two great grandsons Noah and Josiah.
 
Cogdill's brain and brain stem are being donated to Boston University for the concussion study. He will be cremated and a memorial service will be held sometime in November at the Heritage Funeral Home in Spokane.