Former Bears safety Dave Duerson dead at age 50
Miami, FL, United States (AHN Sports) – Dave Duerson, a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super-Bowl winning team was found dead in his Miami home, the team announced Friday. He was 50.
The cause of death has not been determined.
“Our family asks that you please remember Dave as a good, kind, and caring man,” Duerson’s ex-wife, Alicia Duerson, said, according to NBCChicago.com. “He loved and cherished his family and friends and was extremely proud of his beloved Notre Dame and … Chicago Bears. Please keep Dave and our family in your prayers.”
The Bears selected Duerson in the third round of the 1983 draft after an All-America career at Notre Dame.
He became a full-time starter at strong safety for the 1985 team that was known as perhaps the best defensive team of all-time. That team finished the regular season 15-1 and had two shutouts in the playoffs before dismantling the New England Patriots 46-10 in the Super Bowl.
“We really liked him a lot,” former Bears coach Mike Ditka said on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000. “That was the year that Todd Bell and [Al] Harris held out. [Duerson] stepped right in and became a starter at the strong safety position and was outstanding. Did a great, great job.”
Duerson was selected to four Pro Bowls from 1986 to 1989 and was part of the 1990 New York Giants team that also won a Super Bowl.
He played three more seasons for the Cardinals before retiring at age 33. He finished with 20 interceptions in his career. He had seven sacks and six interceptions in 1986 – both career highs.
“We are stunned and saddened to hear the tragic news regarding Dave Duerson,” the Bears said in a statement. “He was a great contributor to our team and the Chicago community. Today is a difficult day for all of us who loved Dave. We’ll miss him. Our prayers are with his family.”
After football, Duerson owned Brooks Sausage Company, later called Fair Oaks Farms, which supplied sausage to fast-food restaurants. He sold the business in 2002.
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