Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman died Tuesday night after a long battle with brain cancer, the Minnesota Vikings said in a statement. He was 58.
Doleman, who played 15 seasons in the NFL, had undergone surgery to remove a brain tumor in January 2018 and had been fighting glioblastoma ever since. Glioblastoma is an aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord.
“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.”
Doleman, who led the league with 21 sacks in 1989, played 10 of his 15 seasons with Minnesota. He also played two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and three with the San Francisco 49ers.
“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Chris Doleman after a prolonged and courageous battle against cancer,” Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said of the dominant defensive end who racked up 150.5 sacks in his career. “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.
Chris DolemanAP“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 — who was voted to eight Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice — played in 17 playoff games, but was never able to reach the Super Bowl. Doleman recorded at least seven sacks in every season he played from 1987 through 1999.
