The Pitt football community lost one of its greats on Tuesday, as former Panthers defensive end and Pro Football Hall of Famer Chris Doleman died at the age of 58.
Doleman touched many lives in his time after football, including new Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi, who Doleman embraced enthusiastically as Pitt’s new head coach back in 2015.
“I had only been at Pitt for a few months when I first met Chris and he could not have been more supportive and enthusiastic about the University of Pittsburgh,” Narduzzi said in a press release. “It was obvious that he took great pride in being a Panther.”
“I remember we had him as our honorary captain when we played at Georgia Tech one year and he was so energetic with our kids. You know he wanted to put on that Pitt helmet one more time. Our deepest sympathies to the Doleman family. His passing is a great loss for all of us, but his memory and legacy, on and off the field, will never be forgotten.”
Doleman, who went on to a 15-year NFL career, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, mentioned his time with the Panthers at his induction ceremony in 2012.
“I was blessed with great coaching by remarkable men: Jackie Sherrill, Foge Fazio, Joe Moore,” Doleman said in Canton, Ohio in 2012. “They challenged me every day. They brought the best out of me; things that I never even knew that I had inside me. … With my time at Pitt, the program prepared me for the next level, the National Football League.”
Fazio, who was Doleman’s first defensive coordinator at Pitt and later became head coach, once said, “Sometimes we’ll stop the game film just to point out to the team Chris’ desire and hustle to get there.”
Incredible, kick-ass player.
Hail to Pitt!
I was ten years old in 1985 and I certainly enjoyed watching Doleman play the game. He was some kind of football player without question.