ST. LOUIS -- Gary Lane, a three-year starter at quarterback for Missouri in the 1960s and an NFL referee for 18 seasons, has died. He was 60.

Lane died Friday in St. Louis, according to his son-in-law, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny, who is married to Lane's daughter, Kristin. A cause of death was not disclosed.

"He was an outstanding football player,'' Matheny said Monday. "He was a phenomenal athlete. I brag about him all the time. I say my kids have his genetics.''

Lane became the starter for Missouri in 1963 and led the Tigers to a victory in the 1966 Sugar Bowl over Florida and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Steve Spurrier. Missouri was 21-8-2 with Lane at quarterback and was ranked sixth in the AP poll following the 1965 season.

Lane was a backup for three seasons in the NFL, two with Cleveland and one with the New York Giants.

He retired as an NFL referee before the 2000 season after failing a physical due to a heart problem, according to stltoday.com, the Web site of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

He returned to the St. Louis area and helped coach the football team at East Alton-Wood River High School, in Wood River, Ill. Lane graduated from the school in 1961.

Survivors include his wife, Marcy, two children and three stepchildren. No funeral service was planned.