Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman, who played for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), has died at the age of 58.
Chris Doleman, the longtime Minnesota Vikings star, had surgery two years ago to remove a brain tumor after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive type of cancer. The Vikings and the Pro Football Hall of Fame expressed their condolences in separate statements confirming Doleman's death on Tuesday night.
The diagnosis and surgery kept Doleman from attending Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis but was able to travel to Canton, Ohio, later that year for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony that included his former teammate Randy Moss.
The Indianapolis native played in college at Pittsburgh before being drafted by the Vikings with the fourth overall pick in 1985. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
The 6-foot-5 defensive end had 150½ career sacks to rank fifth on the NFL all-time list. He also played two seasons for Atlanta and three seasons with San Francisco before returning to Minnesota to finish his career in 1999.
In a statement, the Vikings said: “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," the team added.
Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker claimed that witnessing Doleman's baptism in the Jordan River during a Hall of Fame trip to Israel was “one of the honors” of his life. He said: “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."
Former Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter, who played with Doleman from 1990 to 1993 and in 1999, said: “Another great man gone. Today will be tough.”
