Chris Doleman

Christopher John Doleman (October 16, 1961 – January 28, 2020) was an American professional football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL). He spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, and also played for the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers.[1] Doleman was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a twice first-team All-Pro, recording 150.5 career sacks.[2] He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2012.[3]

Chris Doleman
refer to caption
Doleman in 2013
No. 56
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born:(1961-10-16)October 16, 1961
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Died:January 28, 2020(2020-01-28) (aged 58)
Duluth, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:289 lb (131 kg)
Career information
High school:William Penn
(York, Pennsylvania)
College:Pittsburgh (1981–1984)
NFL Draft:1985 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Sacks:150.5
Total tackles:975
Safeties:2
Forced fumbles:44
Fumble recoveries:24
Interceptions:8
Defensive touchdowns:3
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life

Doleman attended William Penn Senior High School in York, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1980. He spent a postgraduate year at Valley Forge Military Academy in 1981.[4]

College career

Doleman played football collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh.[5] He was a star linebacker and defensive end for the Pitt Panthers from 1981 to 1984. He ended his career at Pitt with 25 sacks which was good for third all-time at the time of his departure. That total still ranks sixth in the Pitt annals.

Professional career

Doleman was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round (4th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft.[6][7] He began his NFL career as an outside linebacker (OLB) in the Vikings' 3–4 defense, but for the 1987 season (Doleman's third season) the team decided to switch to a 4–3 defense, which resulted in him being moved from his spot at OLB up to the defensive line to play as a defensive end. The move paid off for Doleman, who recorded 21 sacks in the 1989 season, the highest total recorded that season and the fourth-highest total ever.[8][9] The 21 sacks in a single season was a Vikings record until Jared Allen recorded 22 sacks in 2011. Doleman later played for the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers before returning to the Vikings in 1999 for his final season.[10]

He was a first-team All-Pro in 1987, 1989 and 1992. He garnered second-team All-Pro selections in 1990 and 1993.[11]

In 2012, Doleman was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[12]

NFL career statistics
Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFRYds
1985MIN 1613113——0.5155.0500030
1986MIN 16949——3.015959.05910200
1987MIN 121257——11.0000.0000600
1988MIN 161658——8.0000.0000200
1989MIN 161694——21.0000.0000557
1990MIN 161692——11.013030.03000400
1991MIN 1616101——7.0000.0000127
1992MIN 161664——14.512727.02710630
1993MIN 161668——12.51−3−3.0−300310
1994ATL 147302647.0122.0200100
1995ATL 16165136159.0000.0000120
1996SF 16165445911.0210.51004313
1997SF 16164639712.0000.0000310
1998SF 161645311415.0000.0000420
1999MIN 14125341128.0000.0002227
Career[13]23221397521861150.5812115.15922442434

Personal life

On January 25, 2018, Doleman had brain surgery for a condition which was later diagnosed as glioblastoma.[14] On January 28, 2020, Doleman died from the disease at the age of 58.[15] He was honored prior to kickoff at Super Bowl LIV five days later.[16]

References
  1. Chris Doleman (December 30, 2013). "Chris Doleman, DE at". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  2. "Chris Doleman NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. October 16, 1961. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  3. Seifert, Kevin (February 4, 2012). "Chris Doleman makes the Hall of Fame". ESPN. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  4. "Enshrinement » The Drafting of the 2012 Class – Chris Doleman". Profootballhof.com. July 17, 2012. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  5. Snedden, Jeff. "City of Pittsburgh well-represented in Canton this summer". Steel World Order. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  6. "1985 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  7. "National Football League: NFL Draft History". NFL.com. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  8. "Chris Doleman Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  9. "Single-Season Sacks Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  10. "Chris Doleman 1999 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. October 16, 1961. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  11. "Chris Doleman NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. October 16, 1961. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  12. "Class of 2012". Profootballhof.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  13. "Chris Doleman Stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  14. "Vikings Legend Chris Doleman Working Way Back After Surgery For Brain Cancer". twincities.com. March 26, 2018.
  15. "Hall of Fame DE Chris Doleman dies at age of 58". NFL.com. National Football League. January 29, 2020.
  16. "Super Bowl 2020: NFL honors Chris Doleman, Kobe Bryant and others with moment of silence". cbssports.com. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
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