News

NFL Hall Of Fame Defensive End Chris Doleman Dies At 58

Former Minnesota Viking and Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman gas died at the age of 58 Tuesday night after after battling cancer the last two years, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced in a statement. He had previously undergone surgery to remove a brain tumor in 2018.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Chris Doleman after a prolonged and courageous battle against cancer,” said David Baker, the Hall of Fame’s president and CEO. “I had the honor of getting to know him not only as a great football player but an outstanding human being. One of the honors of my life was witnessing Chris get baptized in the Jordan River during a Hall of Fame trip to Israel. The legacy of Chris Doleman will live forever in Canton, Ohio, for generations to learn from how he lived a life of courage and character.”

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

Doleman had an impressive frame and stood 6’5 289 pounds in his playing days. He was selected fourth overall in the 1985 NFL draft and was a member of the Vikings from 1985-1993 before spending two seasons with Atlanta and the next five in San Francisco. He returned to Minnesota in 1999 and retired that year as an eight-time pro bowler with a total of 150.5 career sacks, fifth most in NFL history. He also recorded eight interceptions and three defensive touchdowns in his illustrious career and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

“The Minnesota Vikings express our deepest sympathies to Chris Doleman’s family and friends upon his passing,” the team said in a statement. “Chris was a great example for players past and present, as he embodied all the best characteristics of a Viking — resilience, toughness and a competitive spirit. Chris always carried himself with dignity and class. Vikings fans worldwide will greatly miss him.”

Frank DeLorenzo

Recent Posts

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

16 hours ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

17 hours ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Eli Dershwitz Explains The Art Of Fencing

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…

2 days ago

Two Bears Offensive Linemen Return To Practice, Caleb Williams Desperate For Blocking

Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the…

3 days ago

VIDEO: UFC Heavyweight Champion Performs Viral Trump Dance In New York

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s2g9t_33Myw President-elect Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Jon…

4 days ago

Aaron Rodgers Expresses Interest In 2025 Return, But The Jets Have Bigger Problems

Reporters asked quarterback Aaron Rodgers if he intended to return to the New York Jets…

4 days ago