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John Forzani photographed on Tuesday, June 01, 2010.The Globe and Mail

Former Calgary Stampeder John Forzani suffered a heart attack Thursday and is on life support at a Palm Springs Hospital in California.

The 67-year-old Forzani had only recently embraced retirement after selling the Forzani Group, a company he co-founded in Calgary. Tom Forzani confirmed his older brother was on life support and that the family was deciding what to do next.

"If anybody would loathe being in this position it would be him," Tom Forzani said.

John Forzani was the first in his family to play professional football when he signed with the CFL's Stampeders. He was an offensive lineman. Brother Joe was a linebacker while Tom was a receiver. The three brothers were tagged as Calgary's first family of football. Tom's son, Johnny Forzani, is a current member of the Stampeders although he has been sidelined by injury.

John Forzani, along with Joe, were teammates when Calgary won the 1971 Grey Cup. After his football career ended, John put his business degree to work by opening Forzani's Locker Room, a sporting goods store that ultimately grew to a national company.

By 1994, he bought Sports Experts Inc. for $20-million to become Canada's largest sporting goods retailer. In 2001, he was awarded the Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year.

Forzani was also a part owner in the Stampeders in a group of 12 partners, including some former players, Bob Viccars and Dave Sapunjis. The Calgary Flames purchased a majority share in the CFL franchise two years ago.

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