A legendary Calgarian, who continued to contribute in the community following his days on the gridiron with the Calgary Stampeders, has been transported to a California hospital following an apparent heart attack.

Family members confirm 67-year-old John Forzani is on life support at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Springs, California.

According to Tom Forzani, John’s brother, John suffered the apparent heart attack in his sleep.

Tom says John is unlikely to recover from the incident. Medical experts do not believe John will regain his quality of life and the family is discussing their next course of action.

Following a successful six year career as a lineman with the Stampeders in the 1970s, where he played alongside his brothers Tom and Joe, John Forzani built a chain of successful sporting goods stores.

A representative with FGL Sports (formerly known as the Forzani Group Ltd.) says the organization is ‘aware of the situation and our thoughts are with John and his family at this difficult time”. FGL Sports was sold to Canadian Tire in 2011.

John established the annual Mother’s Day Run and Walk in 1977, a fundraising event which continues to this day. In 2000, the Forzani Foundation was established to assist charities including Canadian amateur athletics.