Former Bears TE Dies of Cancer at 49 Years Old
By Scott Rogust
The Chicago Bears sadly lost a member of their football family this past week.
Former Bears tight end Ryan Wetnight passed away on Friday morning due to complications caused by stomach cancer. He was just 49 years old.
Our hearts are heavy with the news of former Bears TE Ryan Wetnight's passing after a courageous battle with cancer. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends & loved ones. pic.twitter.com/5AcKD18WUL
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 1, 2020
Wetnight joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford in 1993. The tight end spent seven seasons with in Chicago, where he recorded 172 receptions for 1,522 yards and nine touchdowns. He joined the NFC North rival Green Bay Packers in 2000 as a rotational tight end, totaling three catches for 20 yards. His lone campaign in Green Bay would be his last in the NFL.
With his NFL career behind him, Wetnight obtained a California broker's license and opened up his own real estate firm.
Former Bears tight end Ryan Wetnight died from complications of cancer Friday, the Bears announced. He was 49.https://t.co/3YTApyXki4
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) May 2, 2020
In 2018, Wetnight was diagnosed with gastric cancer, but was declared cancer free shortly after. However, doctors later discovered an inoperable tumor in his stomach in 2019. Wetnight is survived by his wife, Stacey, and two sons, Scott, 15, and Zach, 13.
We at 12up send our condolences to the Wetnight and Bears families during this difficult time.