One of the most remarkable stories in NFL history was that of the journey Carlton Haselrig took to make the league. Now, news the former Pittsburgh Steeler is dead at the age of 54.
Haselrig collapsed at his Johnstown (PA) home Wednesday and was pronounced dead less than an hour later, Cambria County Coroner Jeffrey Lees said. The coroner said the death is believed to be of natural causes; an autopsy will be conducted.
Haselrig was an amateur wrestling extraordinaire, winning six NCAA wrestling titles at Division II Pitt-Johnstown in the late 1980s, three each at the Division I and Division II levels.
Haselrig’s run prompted the NCAA to create the so-called “Haselrig Rule,” which bars small-school champions from moving on to the Division I tournament.
“There were a lot of naysayers,” Haselrig once told The Tribune-Democrat. “They said I’d never be able to achieve the things I wanted to at UPJ. Being the first national champ on the wall, that was something that was very important to me to be able to give to Coach (Pat) Pecora.”
Haselrig hadn’t played football in college, but the Pittsburgh Steelers picked him in the 12th round of the 1989 NFL Draft. He played five seasons as an offensive lineman in the NFL – four with the Steelers and one with the New York Jets.
In 1992, he made the Pro Bowl and helped the Steelers to a division title. A little more than a year later, though, his struggles with drugs and alcohol knocked him out of the league.
Johnstown lost a true sports legend today with the death of Carlton Haselrig at age 54. State champion wrestler at Greater Johnstown HS. 6-time NCAA champion wrestler at Pitt-Johnstown. Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl lineman. MMA standout. pic.twitter.com/dFMgxBwrQt
— Michael Mastovich (@masty81) July 22, 2020
Rest In Peace to the legendary Carlton Haselrig, the only 6x NCAA Champion in wrestling history. He was 54. pic.twitter.com/hndvnWyMSi
— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) July 22, 2020
“We are devastated by the loss of our husband, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend,” his wife, Michelle Haselrig, said in a statement to The Tribune-Democrat. “He was my companion, my best friend, my everything. He was funny, kind, humble and dedicated. We will never fully recover from such a great loss, but are blessed to have family and friends to lean on during this difficult time.
“Thank you to all of those who reached out. We know that Carlton had a major impact on the community and understand that his passing is bigger than just us. We ask for privacy and respect as we navigate through this difficult time.”