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Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman, a former York star, dies at age 58

  • The Associated Press
  • Lisa Wardle
FILE PHOTO: In this Dec. 15, 2013, file photo, former Minnesota Viking Chris Doleman acknowledges the crowd during a ceremony honoring the All Mall of America Field team during halftime of an NFL football game between the Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles in Minneapolis. Hall of Fame defensive end Doleman, who became one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers during 15 seasons in the league, has died. He was 58. The Vikings and Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker offered their condolences in separate statements late Tuesday night, Jan. 29, 2020.

 Andy King / AP Photo

FILE PHOTO: In this Dec. 15, 2013, file photo, former Minnesota Viking Chris Doleman acknowledges the crowd during a ceremony honoring the All Mall of America Field team during halftime of an NFL football game between the Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles in Minneapolis. Hall of Fame defensive end Doleman, who became one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers during 15 seasons in the league, has died. He was 58. The Vikings and Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker offered their condolences in separate statements late Tuesday night, Jan. 29, 2020.

(Minneapolis) — Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman, who became one of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers during 15 seasons in the league, has died. He was 58.

The Minnesota Vikings and Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker offered their condolences in separate statements.

There was no word on the timing of Doleman’s death, but he had surgery in January 2018 to remove a brain tumor and Baker said he passed away “after a prolonged and courageous battle against cancer.”

Minnesota Vikings head coach Bud Grant holds up the new jersey to their first-round draft pick Chris Doleman at a press conference to introduce the linebacker from Pittsburgh in Eden Prairie, Minn., May 1, 1985.

Larry Salzman / AP Photo

FILE PHOTO: Minnesota Vikings head coach Bud Grant holds up the new jersey to their first-round draft pick Chris Doleman at a press conference to introduce the linebacker from Pittsburgh in Eden Prairie, Minn., May 1, 1985.

Doleman was born in Indianapolis and moved to southcentral Pennsylvania as a child, where he soon fell in love with football. He referenced those formative years during his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech in 2012.

“I started playing football at eight years old at the Boys Club in York, Pennsylvania,” he said. “At that time I just wanted to be a starter on the team. Then after I was a starter, I wanted to play more. York was Small Town, USA. As you might imagine, high school sports was king, especially on Friday nights. Playing football was everything.”

His time in York is remembered with an honorary street sign.

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