The NFL community received word on Wednesday morning that Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman passed on Tuesday night after a two-year battle with brain cancer.
Doleman’s 150.5 career sacks rank fifth all-time and he’ll go down as one of the best and tenacious pass rushers in NFL history.
More than that, he’ll go down as a teammate and opponent that everyone seemed to respect.
Doleman was also a role model for younger players.
One of those players is future Hall of Famer Terrell Suggs, who was raised in Minnesota’s and grew up during Doleman’s rise.
Suggs, a few days away from appearing in the Super Bowl for the Chiefs, was told of the news on Wednesday and he informed the media that he wore No. 56 growing up because of Doleman.
You can see the full quote below via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
After wearing No. 55 for years with the Ravens, Suggs is back to wearing No. 56.
It seems fitting that Suggs is the active player closest to Doleman on the all-time sack list. Suggs has 139 career sacks, good for eighth in NFL history.
