Former Gophers Halfback Drowns While Boating

(A)- A family member says former Minnesota Gophers Football player Billy Bye has drowned in a boating accident at the age of 81.

Jim Bye, the former halfback's son, says Bye was boating on Bay Lake with his wife, Sally, at their home in Crow Wing County on Friday afternoon when he drowned.

Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office says Bye had left the boat in an attempt to fix its entangled motor and began struggling in the water. He was unable to get out of the water despire passengers' efforts to throw ropes and life jackets to him.

He died at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby.

Bye lettered for the Gophers from 1946 to 1949. He was most valuable player of the 1946 Gophers. He was a 19th-Round draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 1949.