Chris Doleman, a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end, died Tuesday night after a battle with brain cancer.
Doleman underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor in January of 2018 and had been fighting glioblastoma since.
“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Chris Doleman after a prolonged and courageous battle against cancer,” the Hall of Fame’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “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.”
Doleman attended college at Pittsburgh. He was the fourth overall pick in the 1985 NFL Draft by Minnesota.
Doleman played with the Vikings from 1985-93, He then spent two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and three with the San Francisco 49ers before returning to Minnesota for the 1999 season.
Doleman played in 232 games, making 213 starts. He had 150.5 sacks and led the league with 21 in 1989. Overall, Doleman reached double-digits in sacks eight times. Doleman was an eight-time Pro Bowler.
Doleman was inducted into the PFHOF in 2012.
The Vikings released a statement:
We express our deepest sympathies to Chris Doleman’s family and friends upon his passing. pic.twitter.com/4smc4gn5PY
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 29, 2020
“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.”
Former teammate Greg Coleman reacted to Doleman’s passing.
Will always remember one the last times we were together w @Vikings @ProFootballHOF @ChrisDoleman56 back in September. Dole passed late Tuesday night. Please keep his family in your prayers. Rest well Big Fella, you fought the good fight of Faith My Brother pic.twitter.com/TiWtjjtfqq
— Greg Coleman (@gregcoleman8) January 29, 2020
This was Chris Doleman at the Vikings Museum in September 2018. He wore a helmet at times in case he fell on his head. He was so proud of the helmet stickers the Vikings sent him that he continued to wear the helmet even when he didn’t need to any longer. pic.twitter.com/G95WDrKdBo
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) January 29, 2020