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.”

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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.

“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.”