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First commissioner of AFL hospitalized Posted: Wednesday October 09, 2002 1:29 PM
BEAVERTON, Mich. (AP) -- Joseph J. Foss, the first commissioner of the American Football League and a former governor of South Dakota, was in critical condition Wednesday after an apparentaneurysm. Foss, 87, fell ill Monday night in Beaverton and was taken to Covenant Medical Center Cooper in Saginaw. He was in Beaverton to support his great-nephew, who had applied to attend the U.S. Military Academy, and to speak at Beaverton High School. Foss, a retired Marine major and World War II flying ace, served as governor of South Dakota from 1955-59 before becoming the first commissioner of the AFL, which began play in 1960 to challenge the established NFL. Foss held the post until 1966. The two leagues merged in 1970. Foss was a fighter pilot in the South Pacific during World War II and led a Marine Air Force unit known as Joe's Flying Circus. The unit shot down 72 Japanese planes, with Foss accounting for 26. Foss was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star, Silver Star and Purple Heart for his military service.
He was president of the National Rifle Association from 1988-90. He also hosted two TV shows, The American Sportsman and The Outdoorsman: Joe Foss.
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