Chris Doleman

American football player (1961–2020)

American football player

Chris Doleman

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

* Minnesota Vikings (1985–1993)
* Atlanta Falcons (1994–1995)
* San Francisco 49ers (1996–1998)
* Minnesota Vikings (1999)

Career highlights and awards

* 2× First-team All-Pro (1989, 1992)
* 2× Second-team All-Pro (1987, 1993)
* 8× Pro Bowl (1987–1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997)
* NFL sacks leader (1989)
* NFL forced fumbles leader (1987)
* NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
* PFWA All-Rookie Team (1985)
* Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
* 50 Greatest Vikings
* Sugar Bowl champion (1981)

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

Pro Football Hall of Fame

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]

## Early life[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Doleman was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round (4th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft.[6] 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.[7][8] 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.[9]

He was a first-team All-Pro in 1987, 1989 and 1992. He garnered second-team All-Pro selections in 1990 and 1993.[10]

In 2012, Doleman was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[11]

## NFL career statistics[edit]

Legend

| Led the league
Bold | Career high
Year  | Team  | Games  | Tackles  | Interceptions  | Fumbles

|
|
|
|
|

GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | FF | FR | Yds
1985 | MIN | 16 | 13 | 113 | — | — | 0.5 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0
1986 | MIN | 16 | 9 | 49 | — | — | 3.0 | 1 | 59 | 59.0 | 59 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0
1987 | MIN | 12 | 12 | 57 | — | — | 11.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0
1988 | MIN | 16 | 16 | 58 | — | — | 8.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0
1989 | MIN | 16 | 16 | 94 | — | — | 21.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 7
1990 | MIN | 16 | 16 | 92 | — | — | 11.0 | 1 | 30 | 30.0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0
1991 | MIN | 16 | 16 | 101 | — | — | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7
1992 | MIN | 16 | 16 | 64 | — | — | 14.5 | 1 | 27 | 27.0 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0
1993 | MIN | 16 | 16 | 68 | — | — | 12.5 | 1 | −3 | −3.0 | −3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0
1994 | ATL | 14 | 7 | 30 | 26 | 4 | 7.0 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
1995 | ATL | 16 | 16 | 51 | 36 | 15 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0
1996 | SF | 16 | 16 | 54 | 45 | 9 | 11.0 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 13
1997 | SF | 16 | 16 | 46 | 39 | 7 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0
1998 | SF | 16 | 16 | 45 | 31 | 14 | 15.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0
1999 | MIN | 14 | 12 | 53 | 41 | 12 | 8.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7
Career[12] | 232 | 213 | 975 | 218 | 61 | 150.5 | 8 | 121 | 15.1 | 59 | 2 | 2 | 44 | 24 | 34

## Personal life[edit]

On January 25, 2018, Doleman had brain surgery for a condition which was later diagnosed as glioblastoma.[13] On January 28, 2020, Doleman died from the disease at the age of 58.[14] He was honored prior to kickoff at Super Bowl LIV five days later.[15]

## References[edit]

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. ^ "National Football League: NFL Draft History". NFL.com. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
7. ^ "Chris Doleman Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
8. ^ "Single-Season Sacks Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
9. ^ "Chris Doleman 1999 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. October 16, 1961. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
10. ^ "Chris Doleman NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. October 16, 1961. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
11. ^ "Class of 2012". Profootballhof.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
12. ^ "Chris Doleman Stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
13. ^ "Vikings Legend Chris Doleman Working Way Back After Surgery For Brain Cancer". twincities.com. March 26, 2018.
14. ^ "Hall of Fame DE Chris Doleman dies at age of 58". NFL.com. National Football League. January 29, 2020.
15. ^ "Super Bowl 2020: NFL honors Chris Doleman, Kobe Bryant and others with moment of silence". cbssports.com. Retrieved 10 May 2020.

## External links[edit]

* Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference

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Members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Quarterbacks|

* Aikman
* Baugh
* Blanda
* Bradshaw
* Clark
* Conzelman
* L. Dawson
* Driscoll
* Elway
* Favre
* Fouts
* Friedman
* Graham
* Griese
* Herber
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* J. Kelly
* Layne
* Luckman
* Manning
* Marino
* Montana
* Moon
* Namath
* A. Parker
* Stabler
* Starr
* Staubach
* Tarkenton
* Tittle
* Unitas
* Van Brocklin
* Warner
* Waterfield
* S. Young

Running backs|

* M. Allen
* Battles
* Bettis
* J. Brown
* Campbell
* Canadeo
* Csonka
* T. Davis
* Dickerson
* Dorsett
* Dudley
* Faulk
* Gifford
* Grange
* Guyon
* F. Harris
* Hinkle
* Hornung
* James
* J. H. Johnson
* L. Kelly
* Lambeau
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* F. Little
* Martin
* Matson
* McAfee
* McElhenny
* J. McNally
* Moore
* Motley
* Nagurski
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* Payton
* Perry
* Pollard
* Riggins
* B. Sanders
* Sayers
* Simpson
* E. Smith
* Strong
* Jim Taylor
* T. Thomas
* Thorpe
* Tomlinson
* Trippi
* Van Buren
* Walker

Wide receivers /
ends|

* Alworth
* Badgro
* Berry
* Biletnikoff
* Branch
* T. Brown
* Bruce
* Carmichael
* Carter
* Chamberlin
* Fears
* Flaherty
* Halas
* Harrison
* Hayes
* Hewitt
* Hirsch
* Hutson
* Irvin
* C. Johnson
* Joiner
* Largent
* Lavelli
* Lofton
* Maynard
* McDonald
* Millner
* Mitchell
* Monk
* Moss
* Owens
* Pearson
* Pihos
* A. Reed
* Rice
* Speedie
* Stallworth
* Swann
* C. Taylor
* Warfield

Tight ends|

* Casper
* Ditka
* Gonzalez
* Mackey
* Newsome
* C. Sanders
* Sharpe
* J. Smith
* Winslow

Offensive
linemen|

* L. Allen
* Boselli
* B. Brown
* R. Brown
* Covert
* Creekmur
* D. Dawson
* DeLamielleure
* Dierdorf
* Faneca
* Gatski
* Gregg
* Grimm
* Hannah
* Hickerson
* Hill
* Hutchinson
* S. Jones
* W. Jones
* Kramer
* Langer
* L. Little
* Mack
* Matthews
* Mawae
* McCormack
* McDaniel
* Mix
* Munchak
* Muñoz
* Ogden
* Otto
* Pace
* J. Parker
* Ringo
* Roaf
* Shaw
* A. Shell
* Shields
* J. Slater
* St. Clair
* Stanfel
* Stephenson
* J. Thomas
* Tingelhoff
* Upshaw
* Webster
* Wright
* Yary
* Zimmerman

Pre-modern era
two-way players|

* Edwards
* Fortmann
* Healey
* Hein
* Henry
* Hubbard
* Kiesling
* Kinard
* Lyman
* Michalske
* Musso
* Owen
* D. Slater
* Stydahar
* Trafton
* Turner
* Wojciechowicz

Defensive
linemen|

* Atkins
* Bethea
* Buchanan
* Culp
* W. Davis
* Dean
* Dent
* Doleman
* Donovan
* Eller
* Ford
* J. Greene
* Haley
* Hampton
* Humphrey
* D. Jones
* Jordan
* Karras
* Kennedy
* Klecko
* Lilly
* Long
* Marchetti
* Nomellini
* Olsen
* Page
* Randle
* Robustelli
* Sapp
* Selmon
* Seymour
* B. Smith
* Sprinkle
* Stautner
* Strahan
* Ja. Taylor
* Weinmeister
* Ra. White
* Re. White
* Willis
* B. Young
* Youngblood

Linebackers|

* Bednarik
* Bo. Bell
* Brazile
* Brooks
* Buoniconti
* Butkus
* Carson
* Connor
* George
* K. Greene
* Ham
* Hanburger
* Hendricks
* Howley
* Huff
* Jackson
* Lambert
* Lanier
* Lewis
* Mills
* Nitschke
* Richter
* D. Robinson
* Schmidt
* Seau
* Singletary
* L. Taylor
* D. Thomas
* Z. Thomas
* Tippett
* Urlacher
* Ware
* Wilcox

Defensive backs|

* Adderley
* Atwater
* Bailey
* Barber
* Barney
* Blount
* W. Brown
* J. Butler
* L. Butler
* Christiansen
* Dawkins
* Dillon
* Easley
* Green
* C. Harris
* Haynes
* Houston
* J. Johnson
* Krause
* Lane
* Lary
* Law
* LeBeau
* Lott
* Lynch
* Polamalu
* E. Reed
* Renfro
* Revis
* Riley
* J. Robinson
* D. Sanders
* D. Shell
* E. Thomas
* Tunnell
* Wehrli
* Williams
* L. Wilson
* Wood
* C. Woodson
* R. Woodson

Placekickers
and punters|

* Andersen
* Groza
* Guy
* Stenerud

Coaches|

* G. Allen
* P. Brown
* Chamberlin
* Conzelman
* Coryell
* Cowher
* Dungy
* Ewbank
* Flaherty
* Flores
* Gibbs
* Gillman
* Grant
* Halas
* J. Johnson
* Lambeau
* Landry
* Levy
* Lombardi
* Madden
* Neale
* Noll
* Owen
* Parcells
* Shula
* Stram
* Vermeil
* Walsh

Contributors|

* Beathard
* Be. Bell
* Bidwill
* Bowlen
* Brandt
* Carr
* A. Davis
* DeBartolo
* Finks
* Halas
* Hunt
* J. Jones
* Lambeau
* T. Mara
* W. Mara
* Marshall
* A. McNally
* Nunn
* Polian
* Ray
* Reeves
* A. Rooney
* D. Rooney
* Rozelle
* E. Sabol
* S. Sabol
* Schramm
* Tagliabue
* R. Wilson
* Wolf
* G. Young

Italics denotes members who have been elected, but not yet inducted.
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