Hall of Fame Vikings DE Chris Doleman Passes Away at 58 Following Cancer Battle
By Jerry Trotta
The NFL family, particularly the Minnesota Vikings franchise, was dealt tragic news Wednesday morning when Adam Schefter reported that Hall of Fame defensive Chris Doleman lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday night.
He was 58 years old.
Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman died Tuesday night after a battle with cancer, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced in a statement. He was 58.https://t.co/PjzbvLa0uB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2020
Doleman's daunting battle began in January of 2018 when he underwent an operation to remove a brain tumor, meaning his fight lasted approximately two years.
The Vikings legend was selected in the first round (No. 4 overall) of the 1985 Draft out of Pittsburgh. He went on to play nine seasons with Minnesota, two with the Falcons, and three with San Francisco, before returning to the North Star State to wrap up his career with the Vikings in 1999. Across those 15 seasons, Doleman compiled 975 combined tackles, 150.5 sacks (good for fifth all-time), 44 forced fumbles, and eight interceptions.
In the wake of his tragic passing, the Vikings released an official statement in Doleman's honor.
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
Doleman was rightfully inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012, and our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his family during this trying time.
During his darkest times, he was a proud Viking, through and through.
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
One of the enduring greats.